N.S. non profit apologizes after including convicted killer in panel about healing

Logan Alexandra Russell's future was cut short. She was killed one year ago. Her intimate partner charged with second-degree murder. We'll die before he gets there. Her family helped create a fund to raise awareness of intimate partner violence, but there's now outrage after the organization they teamed up with invited a convicted killer to speak at an event in her honor. The Elizabeth Fry Society supports marginalized women who are criminalized. I understand the general concept of having these sorts of discourses and discussions. I don't agree with the way they went about it. I don't agree with them not telling our family. The panel discussion at Dalhousie University on November 5th was on navigating the justice system after victimization and loss. It included Marissa Shepard. She was convicted of manslaughter in the brutal killing of 18-year-old Bailey Wiley in New Brunswick in 2015. It's terrible to see the re-traumatization of Bailey's family as well, and we feel horrible for all of that. In a statement to CBC News, Russell's mother said, Do I think that the Elizabeth Frye has done good work? Absolutely, and I'm sure they will in the future. But this decision was so clearly a lapse in judgment. There's no way that anybody intelligent could not foresee the outrage that this would cause. The Elizabeth Frye Society has issued a public apology, saying it made a serious mistake and is committed to addressing its missteps. The executive director of the Nova Scotia chapter told CBC News she is no longer leading it. It's unclear whether that's a result of this matter. I think they promoted this event thinking about an audience that already understands the complexity. Violence and victimization, and it reached an audience who raised very important questions about, you know, consent. If we can take anything from this, I think we need to foster more discourse regarding IPV. He's remembering his aunt as an amazing person who loved to sing and dance. Let's just follow. Kayla Hounsell, CBC News, Halifax.