The lawyer for a Dawson Creek man found guilty of femicide, is no longer employed with the Calgary law firm she was working for.
The Facebook page, “Justice for Kiara’ was taken down last week, after an online copyright infringement was filed.
Kiara’s aunt, Tanya Agnew, said a statement sent to CTV News from Ryan Friesen’s lawyer was posted to the Facebook group. After the post, Agnew alleges that multiple copyright infringements were filed online by lawyer, Denise Brunsdon.
Last month Agnew’s family learned that Friesen is now considered guilty in connection to the 23-year-old’s death.
Since Kiara’s death in Playa del Carmen in March of 2023, ‘Justice for Kiara’ has been organizing vigils, protests and letter writing campaigns. They have been demanding that justice officials in Mexico re-examine the original court decision that declared Friesen not guilty.
Screen grabs of one of the online complaints appear to show Brunsdon’s email address.
After the page was taken down, Agnew spoke with a team from Facebook, who are investigating the claim.
A protest was also held in front of the Bennett Jones law firm in Edmonton last week.
In a statement provided to CJDC TV News, the law firm said, “Bennett Jones did not request the Justice for Kiara Facebook page be taken down or authorize any request that any portion of it be taken down. We understand that Ms. Brunsdon specifically requested removal of certain Bennett Jones website images for copyright reasons, but not her public statement. Ms. Brunsdon is no longer with the firm.”
Agnew said, “I am pleased that Bennett Jones has issued a public statement, and I am also relieved to learn that Ms. Denise Brunsdon is no longer associated with the firm.”
When asked if Brunsdon quit or was fired over the matter and if Bennet Jones would now ask Facebook to re-instate the page, CJDC TV News was told that there would be no further comment.
“I hope the firm will allow me the opportunity to present the documentary evidence in my possession, which appears to contradict aspects of the statement provided. I am confident that, through a transparent review of the evidence, the firm and I can work collaboratively to clarify the record, rectify this situation, and support the reinstatement of the original Justice for Kiara Facebook page,” said Agnew.
Supporters held rallies across Canada this weekend, including in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. They were calling for justice in Kiara’s case and asking that Friesen go to jail, while he appealing his guilty verdict in Mexico.