Standing across from the ex-wife who killed his only daughter, Duane Lucius told an Alberta courtroom about the impact of his former spouse’s horrific actions.
“I’ll never forgive her or forget my daughter Amber,” Lucius said at the sentencing hearing for 50-year-old Laura Coward.
Coward has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of her nine-year-old daughter Amber Lucius in August 2014, following a bitter custody battle with Duane Lucius who was given full custody of the child.
“I still remember the first day I held her in my arms,” he said. “The saddest day was when Amber was found dead.”
A second-degree conviction carries an automatic life sentence, but the Crown is asking for no chance of parole for 20 years, while defence lawyer Jim Lutz made his submission Friday afternoon.
Coward admitting to giving her daughter a toxic, but non-lethal dose of Zopiclone sleeping pills and wrongfully thinking she had died, set the vehicle she was in on fire on an Alberta road near Sundre, with tools from her then-boyfriend’s residence.
Court heard how she attempted to cover up the crime, with the Crown submitting the primary motivation was revenge on her ex.
“The accused shows an astounding level of commitment, by whatever means necessary, to complete her terrible act,” Crown prosecutor Jillian Pawlow said.
Five victim impact statements were submitted, including Amber’s aunt Corinne Ward.
“She (Coward) not only stole Amber’s life, but all of our dreams,” she said. “They have become nightmares.”
Ward said Coward also affected the entire family, as well as friends and classmates of Amber’s.
Court also heard how some members of the RCMP and other emergency personnel had to take leave because of the emotional toll the case has taken on them.
“Unlike the accused, we will heal because we choose life over hatred,” Ward said.
The judge will sentence Coward next Friday.
