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CNN Live Today

Teenage Girl Convicted in Suicide Case in Canada

Aired March 26, 2002 - 14:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: From Canada now, the landmark trial of two 16-year-old girls charged with bullying a teen who committed suicide is now over. One of those girls has been found guilty. In British Columbia, Kathy Tomlinson from CTV has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CINDY WESLEY, VICTIM'S MOTHER: For all kids that are being bullied across Canada, this isn't about Dawn-Marie any more. This is for you.

KATHY TOMLINSON, CTV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was another emotional day and a very tough year for Cindy Wesley. In court, she got the justice she was hoping for. For the first time in Canada, a school yard bully has been convicted of criminal harassment.

The girl in the pink shirt is one of three teens who tormented Wesley's 14-year-old daughter. They can't be identified under the young offender's act. Their victim, Dawn-Marie Wesley, hanged herself just hours after the girl threatened to kill her.

WESLEY: It's overwhelming to think you lost a 14-year-old daughter, and now you're looking at all of you standing here and saying to this country, please, please learn from her death.

TOMLINSON: The group started grade nine as friends. There was a typical teenage girl dispute over who started a false rumor about someone else. The others ganged up on Dawn-Marie. This girl was also charged, but acquitted because the judge found she didn't intend to be threatening.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It wasn't a big thing. Nobody really -- I don't know. I guess it was a big joke and I believe at schools, they need to do more talking than just once a month or once a year of bullying assemblies.

TOMLINSON: A third girl is still set to go to trial and the case has attracted a lot of attention. The girls fear other bullies might now get more threatening because they will fear criminal charges.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But I believe now it will be more of, if you say anything, I might kill you or you know...

TOMLINSON: But Cindy Wesley believes others will learn from the hard lesson these girls have had and she doesn't want them to blame themselves for her daughter's death.

WESLEY: Please, please do not hold yourself accountable.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Again, CTV reporter Kathy Tomlinson reporting, British Columbia, far west in Canada there.

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