‘I am truly ashamed,' says teen involved in Vancouver riot

[Jerry Jerry Jerry!!!]

Questions to the memebers:

A- Do you think he deserves more punishment?

B- Do you believe he is really sorry?
< if he didn't get caught he would never have fessed up>

C- Do his parents deserve to be liable for his actions?


http://www.thestar.com/news/article...med-says-teen-involved-in-vancouver-riot?bn=1

At least one young rioter has learned the hard way that there is no such thing as a faceless crowd anymore.

Already outed online by furious citizens determined to name and shame participants in last week’s Stanley Cup riots, Nathan Kotylak made an emotional public apology over the weekend for his role in the chaos.

Kotylak, a once-rising star on Canada’s junior water polo team, was caught on camera as he appeared to hold a lighter to a rag stuffed into the gas tank of a Vancouver police car in the violent aftermath of the Canucks’ Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins.

“For reasons I can’t really explain, I went from being a spectator to becoming part of the mob mentality that swept through many members of the crowd,” the 17-year-old said.

“I want to say as clearly as I can that there is no excuse for my behaviour ... I am truly ashamed of what I did.”

Kotylak would typically remain unidentified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because he is not yet 18 years old. But he said he wanted to name himself so he could own up to what he did.

His lawyer said he had obtained a court order allowing the young man to make his public apology this weekend.

The consequences have been swift and severe for the athlete from Maple Ridge, B.C., who graduates from high school this year.

He is currently under investigation and could face charges in the matter.

However, in spite of the court order, Vancouver police won’t discuss Kotylak’s case because he is still a minor.

Kotylak’s father, who is a doctor, had to suspend his practice when the family made a decision to leave their home temporarily on Thursday after their address appeared online and they received threats, his lawyer said.

And the teen, who dreamed of one day making it to the Olympics, is understood to have been suspended from the national junior men’s water polo team.

Kotylak cried as he delivered his statement on a local television newscast late Saturday, apologizing to his friends, teammates, the community he grew up in, the Canucks, the Bruins, the Vancouver Police and the city of Vancouver. And finally, to his parents.

“I want to apologize to Mom and Dad,” he said, choking back sobs. “What I did does not reflect the love, values, lessons and great opportunities that you have provided for me.”

The teen also said that he missed his high school convocation on Saturday because he “did not want to detract from this special day that my classmates and I have worked towards all our lives.”

Kotylak said he is not looking for any sympathy.

“I just want to make sure that people know there have already been serious consequences and I anticipate there will be more,” he said on television. “I felt my name had been tarnished and been thrown around in such a manner that this was necessary.”

Water Polo Canada said it suspended a player facing allegations stemming from the post-game riot and would be conducting an investigation.

The organization, which manages national and Olympic teams, did not name the suspended player, but said the junior member had promised full cooperation with the disciplinary process.

“We’re taking immediate action due to the very serious nature of these allegations,” executive director Ahmed El-Awadi said in a statement on Friday.

“His future status will be determined after an investigation has been completed and an official hearing has been conducted,” El-Awadi said, adding any criminal proceedings would take precedence.

Kotylak said his actions were “dumb” and he is ready to take responsibility for what occurred.

“My life took a very bad turn on Wednesday night based on choices I made. Now I must face the consequences.”