Susan Clairmont: ‘Overwhelming hate and animosity’ toward driver in crash that killed Mackenzie Mann
They said her name.
They said it in more than 160 victim impact statements, some submitted in writing, dozens read aloud in a courtroom.
Mackenzie, 20, was killed instantly on June 3, 2020 in a car driven by Bulend Typhoon Dikici. He raced down a dark rural road at more than 180 km/h, blew a stop sign, and crashed into another vehicle.
Never before have there been so many statements in a Hamilton court case. In high profile first-degree murder cases, a dozen victim impact statements is rare.
Even Dikici's lawyer said she has never seen anything like it.
But she also said she has never seen such overwhelming hate and animosity" toward an offender.
The room was thick with emotion as final sentencing submissions were made Wednesday.
Those who love Mackenzie - many barely out of their teens - said their lives are forever damaged by their loss.
They can't concentrate on university classes. They call in sick to work. They don't socialize. They drink too much. They are terrified to be in a car. They obsess over the whereabouts of relatives and friends. They have been prescribed medication for PTSD, anxiety, depression, migraines and insomnia.
I am inflicted with heartbreak," friend Spencer McLucas said. My life was forever changed by this event. I am missing multiple pieces from my heart."
He hears Mackenzie's giggles in his dreams.
Mackenzie hadn't planned to go out that Wednesday night. Dikici talked her into it. He picked her up in his white Honda Civic. Two other friends were also in the car. They headed toward Dikici's place for a bonfire.
Moments later, the passengers screamed at Dikici, 19 at the time, to slow down. At 9:54 p.m., he T-boned another vehicle - which happened to be operated by a drunk driver - at Airport and Nebo roads.
According to the agreed statement of facts, Dikici had been drinking too. Although he wasn't over the legal blood-alcohol limit, he had a G2 driver's licence, which prohibits any alcohol.
Dikici pleaded guilty earlier to criminal negligence causing death and three counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. His sentence will be delivered Dec. 13.
The driver of the other vehicle was treated for a broken femur, serious chest injuries and collapsed lungs. He was placed in a medically induced coma.
A 20-year-old male in Dikici's car had a fractured spine, perforated intestines and bowels, was in a medically induced coma for four days and had multiple surgeries and rehabilitation.
A 21-year-male in the car had a spinal fracture, a broken sternum and ribs and other internal injuries. He underwent surgery and rehabilitation.
The Crown is seeking a sentence of six to eight years in prison. The defence is asking Justice Tory Colvin for two to three years.
Mackenzie was a McMaster University student studying to be a speech pathologist. She danced competitively and had no shortage of friends.
She left behind her brother Owen and parents Jennifer and Oliver. Ollie is a veteran Hamilton police officer.
I cannot do anything that makes me happy without becoming overcome by guilt and grief," the court heard from friend Kendall Stallard, who planned for Mackenzie to one day be her maid of honour.
Charly Moore's brother, Luke, was Mackenzie's boyfriend.
Seeing my brother break down in tears ... is something I will never recover from," she said. Mackenzie was the person he expected to be with the rest of his life."
Mackenzie's papa, Bill Mann, spoke directly to Dikici:
I ask you to spare my family any crocodile tears ... I wish for your life to be short lived. I have no forgiveness to give you."
Wearing a dark suit and seated beside his lawyer, Jaime Stephenson, Dikici didn't flinch.
His parents sat silently behind him.
Some swore at Dikici and called him names. You are a disgusting human being," said one.
Stephenson tried to mitigate that. Dikici has no previous criminal record. He has the support of his family. He will soon finish the aircraft maintenance program at Mohawk College. He works cleaning furnaces at the steel mills.
Then it was Dikici's turn to speak. At first, he asked to wait until the next court date. But when the judge pointed out that by then his sentence would be written and Dikici's words would have no impact, he changed his mind.
He asked Stephenson to read his written statement.
I accept responsibility for my actions," it said.
Mackenzie was his friend, he said. One of the few he had. All of his best memories involve her.
A part of me died in that accident ... I was a teenager and thought I was invincible."
All I want is for Mackenzie to be here back on Earth again ... Please believe me when I say I never wanted to hurt anyone ... If I could die and bring her back, I would in a heart beat."
Dikici has tried to kill himself. A couple of times. But it didn't work out," his statement said.
Stephenson told court her client has received threats. He has been bullied and harassed.
In an unusual move, the judge addressed those in the courtroom, cautioning them that threatening can result in a criminal charge.
He implored everyone to let the justice system work.
Keep the faith in our laws."
Susan Clairmont is a Hamilton-based crime, court and social justice columnist at The Spectator. Reach her via email: sclairmont@thespec.com