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 channelled their anguish into 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.
Excerpt
"Written from the heart, to the heart, Sandra’s book reveals the devastating and rippling effect of a violent crime from the most soul-rending perspective imaginable — that of a mother who’s lost her child."
Tom Zytaruk
Author & Journalist
Sandra Martins-Toner is a warm, honest, and unassuming young woman. She has transcended the untimely death of her son by working to bring changes to the criminal justice system. Now she has written an account of her experience in the same way she speaks: openly, from her heart and soul.
Wallace G. Craig - Retired Provincial Court Judge/Author
"Sandra’s never-ending fight for justice is a battle we all have a
critical stake in – her story rips the window dressing off the Canadian
criminal justice system to reveal an institution awash in disgrace."
John Martin: Criminologist, University of the Fraser Valley
"Having spent over twenty years as a trial lawyer, and close to twice as long immersed in the machinations of our political system, I know what energy and focus it takes to have any hope of effecting change to the "System". Sandra Martins-Toner, like Chuck Cadman before her, has channeled her grief into a constructive effort to improve the administration of justice in our country. Sandra's tireless work with FACT and, now, the willingness to detail her unimaginably painful experience in a book so as to benefit others is citizenship as it ought to be and moral courage of the highest order."
David O. Marley, BA, LLB, MSc
Principal of BIAS 4 Action Public Affairs
Vancouver, BC
This heart wrenching story is an inspiring "must read" for all the men and women of Law Enforcement, and those concerned with the escalating
violent crimes plaguing our country. Families Against Crime & Trauma was forced into existence through lack of social accountability.
Judges no longer see themselves as serving the victims, and thousands of citizens are made victims by an apparently uncaring Criminal
Justice System. Victims cry out for justice, only to find the 'justice' component has been removed. Judges have long abandoned/ forgotten the reason they are there. Until they realize this, more of our children will be murdered, and the Sandra Martins-Toner's of our society have no other choice but to fight back . .and I support them!
Len Miller -
Detective (retired)
Vancouver Police Department
As a mother, I am deeply touched by this very strong, courageous woman's fight for justice in the name of her son, Matthew. The fact that she is able to put into word her son's violent murder and her dealings with the Cimininal Justice System thereafter in such a remarkable book speaks volumes about the author. After crying through the first 58 pages, I got it together long enough to read the whole book and am left with a feeling of complete awe. Thank you for yor never-ending fight for justice, Sandra!
Naomi Jones
Court Reporter
"For parents who have lost a child; the emotional trauma never ends. The pain is only compounded by the way Canada's so-called Criminal Justice system treats families and loved ones who are left behind to pick up the pieces. Despite losing her 16 year old son to the most unimaginable crime, Sandra has found the strength to carry on and provide hope and guidance for others who have suffered through similar tragedy. This is one mother's heart-wrenching story..."
Ron Bencze,
Reporter, Global BC"
Professional Reviews
Tom Zytaruk
"Written from the heart, to the heart, Sandra’s book reveals the devastating and rippling effect of a violent crime from the most soul-rending perspective imaginable — that of a mother who’s lost her child."
Tom Zytaruk
Author & Journalist
Wallace Craig
Sandra Martins-Toner is a warm, honest, and unassuming young woman. She has transcended the untimely death of her son by working to bring changes to the criminal justice system. Now she has written an account of her experience in the same way she speaks: openly, from her heart and soul.
Wallace G. Craig - Retired Provincial Court Judge/Author
John Martin
"Sandra’s never-ending fight for justice is a battle we all have a
critical stake in – her story rips the window dressing off the Canadian
criminal justice system to reveal an institution awash in disgrace."
John Martin: Criminologist, University of the Fraser Valley
