The Last Six Minutes – A Mother’s Loss and Quest for Justice

Matthew’s killers have been tried, convicted and sentenced, but Sandra Martins-Toner and her family can’t escape their grief and the overwhelming sense of loss. They have channeled their anguish in to affirmative action for victims. The Last Six Minutes is the true account of the random and violent murder of 16-year-old Matthew Martins, and his family’s journey through the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Now the family is faced with the killers appeal and the torment of perhaps being subjected to yet another lengthy trial.

In this highly anticipated continuation to Sandra Martins-Toner’s first book “The Last   Six Minutes,” the sequel “Cry for Justice” takes Sandra’s readers through the years of being dragged into the convoluted Canadian Criminal Justice System.

Just when the family thought it was over, one of young Matthew’s killers appeals her conviction and is released on bail into the community pending her second trial.

Sandra and her family must face the torment of her release, and the re-victimization from a “System” not interested in the victims. The shocking conclusion to that trial leaves the family crying for justice and a nation stunned.

Matthew’s mother describes in chilling detail her heartache and her will to continue fighting for justice. This book reveals a Judiciary that is a cloistered members only group, leaving more victims in its wake.

Hello Everyone,

I was invited to speak about my book, ” The Last Six Minutes” on the Christy
Clark Show today,with guest host Jill Bennet. I have placed the link here
for the audio sound byte so that you can listen to the show in case you
missed it.

The interview begins at roughly 6 minutes past the hour, so if you slide the
media players time bar so that you see the numbers on the right moving to
6:15 (minutes)the story will begin.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the constant support and
encouragement. Just click this link to begin listening!

The Christy Clark Show

Weekdays 12:30p – 3p

Today on the Christy Clark Show with Jill Bennett:

Tune in for the very latest on the search for former reality TV contestant turned fugitive, Ryan Jenkins. We hear from CKNW’s Nafeesa Karim, and from TMZ’s Mike Walters. Check out http://www.tmz.com/ to follow their coverage.

Sandra Martins-Toner shares the story of losing her young son and her quest for justice in his memory. Check out her website and learn about her book: http://thelastsixminutes.com/

Please watch my Virtual Book Tour for “The Last Six Minutes” – A Mothers Loss & Quest for Justice. Please forward this to everyone in your contacts, so that we can spread the word.

Sandra Martins-Toner

Ted Colley, Surrey Now

Published: Tuesday, August 11, 2009

SURREY – Accused murderer Katherine Quinn’s second trial is set to begin on April 6, 2010 in B.C. Supreme Court. The new trial is expected to last six weeks. Quinn, 27, and her boyfriend Robert Forslund, 28 at the time the crime was committed, were convicted in April 2007 of second-degree murder in the July 2, 2005 killing of 16-year-old Matthew Martins outside Surrey Central SkyTrain station.

Forslund savagely beat the teen and slashed his throat with a broken beer bottle after a brief scuffle between Quinn and the boy in which Quinn claimed she had been stabbed. Medical evidence at her trial showed she had received a superficial wound under one arm.

A witness at Quinn’s trial testified the accused had “jumped” the teen intending to steal a silver chain and crucifix he wore around his neck. Quinn denied the allegation. Martins later died in hospital.

While she did not participate physically in the deadly assault on Martins, Quinn was convicted of aiding and abetting Forslund when a B.C. Supreme Court jury found she had told him to “get” or “kill” the boy. The jury also found Quinn had given Forslund the beer bottle he used in the attack.

Quinn and Forslund were given mandatory life sentences with Forlsund ordered to serve at least 17 years before applying for parole. Quinn was condemned to 10 years behind bars before being allowed ask for early release.

Quinn’s conviction was overturned in June when the B.C. Court of Appeal ruled the Crown had not proven Quinn had given Forslund the bottle. The court also found the trial judge had erred in his instructions to the jury.

Last month, Quinn was granted bail pending trial. Forslund did not appeal his conviction or sentence.