 Cheryl Bullock, aunt of the murdered Brayton Bullock, 14, was asked to remove her jacket in court during the hearing over whether or not Brayton’s killer should go to an adult prison. (Tracy McLaughlin/QMI AGENCY)
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BARRIE, Ont. — A 20-year-old who murdered his young cousin four years ago should not be allowed to "twiddle his thumbs" in a youth facility where he does not have to deal with his crime, a Crown attorney told a judge yesterday.
Nick Bullock was arrested four years ago after he stabbed his cousin, Brayton Bullock, 14, to death March 9, 2006.
But even though he was sentenced last November to life in prison as an adult, an ongoing battle continues in the courts over whether or not he should be allowed to stay at the Sprucedale Youth Centre so that he can have easy access to high school courses.
While in Sprucedale, Nick has managed to get his high school diploma, but now he wants to take more courses so that he can be accepted into a university program.
"He can twiddle his thumbs and drag it (the courses) out as long as he wants," said Crown attorney Ann Tierney, who expressed doubts that Nick is truly interested in education.
"Previous to the murder he chose not to go to school at all ... he used drugs ... he sold drugs," said Tierney.
While in the youth facility, Nick has refused to mention a word about the murder and had no programming to deal with his crime.
In an adult prison, Nick will have to talk about his crime and go through intensive assessments so that he can be directed into appropriate rehabilitation programs.
"His sitting idle at Sprucedale is of no benefit to the safety of the community," said Tierney, who noted Nick is eligible for parole in six years.
At one point, after listening to hours of testimony over Nick's educational needs, the father of the murdered boy angrily walked out of court.
The murdered boy's aunt, Cheryl Bullock, was asked to remove her jacket that stated "don't coddle killers" in bold letters.
"I thought we had freedom of expression in this country," she added.
"Somebody has to be a voice for Brayton; he lost his voice when he was murdered."
Justice Alfred Stong will announce his decision this morning.
