A trial began Monday for the former Maple Ridge woman accused of failing to provide the necessities of life for a teenage girl who died at a house party in 2008.
Victoria Turley is charged in connection to the death of 16-year-old Shannon Dale Raymond, whose lifeless body was found after a party Turley hosted on July 26, 2008.
Shannon's mother Julie Raymond told reporters outside New Westminster Supreme Court that she is eager for the truth to come out about what happened at the party.
"It is absolutely a long time that we've had to sit in silence on the sidelines and listen to the rumours in the community about Shannon and how she died, and now after two weeks' time we'll be able to speak the truth and tell people openly what she went through, so hopefully no other mother or no other sister would have to stand here before you and tell the same story again," she said.
Police have not previously disclosed any details about how the teenager died, but say that she was in medical distress and nothing was done to help her.
If convicted, Turley faces up to five years in prison.
