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” image of her on Facebook in November 2011.
James Bennett, who took the stand in the trial of Dutch national Aydin Coban on Tuesday, told the court he was 13 at the time and had attended Westview High School with Todd in Maple Ridge.
Coban has pleaded not guilty to extortion, stalking, luring children and possession of child pornography.
The Crown alleges Todd was pursued for years by someone with 22 fake accounts, who tried to use explicit photos of the teen to get him to perform sexual acts online. Todd committed suicide at age 15 in 2012.
Bennett, now 24, testified that he reported the image on Facebook, told others to delete the material, and also called police.
‘WAS FEELING BAD’
Outside of court, he remembered Todd as someone 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. “Deep down, it felt wrong to have him there and it felt like the right thing to do to make sure he was eliminated.”
Todd’s mother, Carol, said hearing Bennett’s testimony “warms my heart.”
“I think when I was 13 years old, I was smart and brave and wise,” he said outside court. “The important thing to take away from what James did was that we need to talk to our kids about what’s right and what’s wrong and if they see something, and they know it’s not appropriate, it’s not right, it’s not safe, they need to 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 that the name on the Facebook account that shared the material was “Austin Collins.” He testified that the profile on the account indicated that they were also Westview students and that he did not know anyone in real life by that name.
Amanda’s mother previously testified about hearing her daughter scream after seeing a Facebook account with the same name that used a photo of her topless as its profile picture in November 2011. She told the court that the account also she had connected with her daughter’s friends and acquaintances online.
The trial also heard from a former assistant principal and school counselor, Tricia McCuaig, who testified about contacting police in November 2011. She told the court that she and other administrators and staff had received an email from an unknown person. about Todd. The email referenced an explicit video of Todd and contained links.
‘I MISS HER’
Bennett said his heart goes out to Todd’s family and all those affected by his death.
“She was always friends with other people, even though a lot of people weren’t necessarily friends with her,” he said. “I think she would be happy to see the impact that her story has created… the need for education that created the whole movement. If I spoke to her again, I would say I miss her.”
In the month before her death, Todd shared a video online that shows her silently holding flashcards describing years of torment.
Coban’s defense has previously said the case is about whether the Crown can prove who was behind the messages sent to Todd.
Testimony at the trial is scheduled to continue Thursday.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources available.
- Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline (1-833-456-4566)
- Addiction and Mental Health Center (1 800 463-2338)
- Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645)
- Children’s Helpline (1-800-668-6868)
If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.