WARMINGTON: While Melody's life taken quickly, the wheels of justice move slowly

While there can be a lot of unfairness experienced in life, it can even be worse in death. No one knows that more than families looking for justice in a courtroom.

The man accused of dangerous driving that killed “Sweet Melody” Xu on the sidewalk in a horrific Oakville crash may not have been in court for his first appearance, but many of the eight-year-old girl’s family and friends certainly were.

“They packed the small Milton courtroom,” said family friend Anna Lopez.

Many — including the little girl’s father and both of her grandparents — were carrying pictures of the popular Oakville Hornets hockey player.

They were not exactly thrilled with the process.

Family stunned

“So incredibly quick,” said Lopez. “The defence said they requested disclosure and need time to go through it. So, they asked for a 12-week adjournment.”

And they got it.

“They did not even appear in-person,” said Lopez of Ajai Rana, 47, who faces one count of  dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death.

Even his lawyer did not show up in person. Said Lopez: “His defence attorney was there virtually.”

The family members and supporters were not only there in person but plan to be throughout the whole process. They assembled on the front lawn of the courthouse to take a picture so that the world understands that while the system may think of this little girl as nothing more than a statistic, she was precious to them.

The way it seems now is Melody is nothing more than a court docket file number. She’s far more than that to her family.

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They also saw in person that there obviously is no hurry to proceed with the case. The alleged speed in which young pianist was killed is not matched with speed of the justice system.

A court on Tuesday pushed off the next court appearance for the man accused in this horrific story until March 3 next year. No matter what date they choose, Melody won’t be there. Nothing is bringing her back.

While the court breaks for the holidays, this family will have to suffer through Christmas without their precious Melody.

Melody was killed on scooter and mom badly hurt

Melody, who was on her scooter, died, and her mother suffered major injuries on Nov. 6 when, according to police, a Lexus SUV careened off the road on the North Service Rd. in Oakville and struck them both.

Police didn’t take Rana into custody at the time but directed him to make his first appearance more than a month later. He doesn’t have to make his second appearance for around 2 1/2 months.

Rana is innocent unless proven guilty. The charge against him from Halton Regional Police has not yet been tested in court. He has a right to a fair trial.

Family should have rights too

But the family should have some rights, too. They need to hear every part of this case in a reasonable amount of time. It should not take months — or even years — for something like this to be dealt with. This is painful for them.

Mom Weihong Gao — still recovering from many broken bones — was not in attendance. She has been unable to work while Melody’s dad, Hao Xu, is home now looking after their son, three-year-old Aiden.

While friends and family made no formal rebuke on the pace of the court process Wednesday, it’s clear they plan to stick up for Melody who is not around to fight for herself anymore. The community has also raised more than $260,000 on GoFundMe to help the family through this ordeal.

The case is provides an example of how this all works. And it’s not in favour of the victim.

The system may indeed over time forget about Melody.

But those people who went to the Milton court Wednesday, insist they won’t.