Family of homicide victim Tori Dunn rallies outside New Westminster courthouse

Family members and supporters of Tori Dunn rallied outside the New Westminster courthouse Friday.

Family and friends of a woman stabbed to death in her Surrey home last June gathered outside New Westminster Supreme Court Friday, as the man accused of killing her made an appearance by video inside.

Tori Dunn’s father, Aron Dunn, travelled from Saskatchewan to be at the court appearance, as his family continues their fight to reform the bail system.

“This stuff happens to our communities continually and nothing is done about it,” he told reporters outside the courthouse.

Adam Mann, arrested in the Port Kells neighbourhood where Dunn had lived shortly after she was found deceased, is charged with second-degree murder.

He has a lengthy criminal history for violent crimes and was out on bail – and probation – at the time of Dunn’s murder.

A judge released him, over the objections of the Crown, just 11 days earlier.

“Tori was a kind person living her best life, she lived in a nice home, and she was minding her own business sleeping on her couch,” Aron said.

One advocate in attendance Friday said the amount of violence against women in recent years is alarming.

“There needs to be a new system to monitor and supervise the men because right now they’re given the conditions and only when they breach are they reported,” said Dahye Son, of the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s shelter.

The case has ignited a conversation about repeat violent offenders, with many calling for comprehensive bail reform, including B.C. Premier David Eby, who called out the feds shortly after Dunn’s Murder.

The murder charge against Mann has yet to be tested in court.

His appearance Friday was for a pre-trial conference, the details of which are protected by a publication ban.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to be back in court March 24.