Warning: This article contains content that may be disturbing to some readers.
A high school friend of British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd testified that he took action when he saw what he described as a “pornographic” photo of her on Facebook in November 2011.
James Bennett, who went on trial against Dutch national Aydin Coban on Tuesday, told the court he was 13 at the time and attended Westview Middle School with Todd in Maple Ridge.
Coban pleaded not guilty to extortion, molestation, child luring and possession of child pornography.
The Crown alleges Todd was stalked for years by someone with 22 fake accounts who tried to use explicit photos of the teenager to get her to perform sexual acts online. Todd committed suicide at the age of 15 in 2012.
Bennett, now 24, testified that he reported the image to Facebook, told others to delete the material and also called the police.
“I FELT WRONG”
Outside court, he remembered Todd as a man with an open heart and a kind soul.
“I didn’t want those images of my friend to be shared and I didn’t want other people to see them and I didn’t want other people to be exposed to it,” he said. “It was fundamentally wrong to have it there and it seemed the right thing to do to make sure it was removed.”
Todd Carroll’s mother said hearing Bennett’s testimony “warmed my heart.”
“I think as a 13-year-old he was smart, brave and wise,” she told the court. “The important thing to take from what James did is that we need to talk to our kids about what’s right and what’s wrong and if they see something and know it’s not right, it’s not right, no is safe, you should report it.”
An officer also testified about visiting Bennett’s home after his report and taking pictures of what was on the computer screen.
Bennett told the court the name of the Facebook account sharing the material was “Austin Collins”. He testified that the account profile shows they are also Westview students and he doesn’t know anyone in real life with that name.
Amanda’s mother previously testified that she heard her daughter scream after seeing a Facebook account with the same name using a nude photo of her as a profile picture in November 2011. She told the court that the account was also was connected to her daughter’s friends and acquaintances online.
The trial also heard from a former vice principal and school counselor, Tricia McQuaig, who testified about contact with police in November 2011. She told the court that she and other administrators and staff received an email from an unknown person about Todd. The email referred to an apparent video of Todd and contained links.
‘I MISS HER’
Bennett said his heart goes out to Todd’s family and everyone affected by her death.
“She was always a friend to other people, even though a lot of people weren’t necessarily friends with her,” he said. “I think she would love to see the impact that her story has created…the need for education that the whole movement has created. If I were to talk to her again, I would say I miss her.
In the month before her death, Todd shared a video online showing her silently holding flash cards outlining years of torment.
Coban’s defense previously said the case was about whether the Crown could prove who was behind the messages sent to Todd.
Testimony in the trial will continue Thursday.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources available.
- Suicide Prevention Hotline Canada (1-833-456-4566)
- Center for Addiction and Mental Health (1 800 463-2338)
- Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or SMS 45645)
- Children’s Helpline (1-800-668-6868)
If you need immediate help, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
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