The mother of Geo Mounsef, the toddler killed when an alleged drunk driver crashed into an Edmonton restaurant patio, has condemned the reported abduction and assault of the accused driver in a Facebook message.
“It is utterly heartbreaking to have our Baby Geo’s memory associated with this horrible act of violence,” Sage Morin wrote in a post Friday.
“We will continue to spread love and kindness in Geo’s honor (sic) as we prepare for the upcoming trial.”
Richard Suter’s lawyer told CBC News the man was abducted from his home late Thursday night by a group of people.
Dino Bottos said Suter, 64, was then blindfolded, forced into a vehicle, and driven to south Edmonton where he was “severely” beaten.
A source tells CBC News that Suter’s thumb had been cut off during the alleged attack. Suter was able to flag down a passing motorist, who called 911. He is now in hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries.
Geo, 2, was eating with his family on the patio at Ric’s Grill on 142nd Street and 23rd Avenue in May 2013 when a SUV suddenly accelerated and crashed into the restaurant.
The boy was pinned against a wall by the vehicle and was killed.
Suter is facing several charges, including impaired driving causing death and refusing to give a breath sample, after the crash.
Morin pleaded with supporters to let the courts deal with Suter.
“Justice for Geo will not come in the form of violence. Our family remains hopeful and entrusting of the legal system to bring Justice for Geo,” she wrote.
“We have tried our very best to use Geo’s memory as an inspiration to do positive things for our community, to lend love, compassion and understanding to our fellow mankind, and to try make this world a better place one small act of kindness at a time.”
Suter had been out on bail awaiting trial at the time of the alleged attack.
