VICTORIA - Attorney General Wally Oppal should direct Crown Counsel to appeal the reduction of sentence for Darnell Pratt in connection with the death of gas station employee Grant DePatie, New Democrat Public Safety Critic Mike Farnworth demanded in Question Period Monday.

“The B.C. Court of Appeal's decision has evoked outrage right across the province and should be revisited. The Attorney General has the ability to direct Crown Counsel to appeal the decision and he has a responsibility to take that action on behalf of British Columbians," said Farnworth, the MLA for Port Coquitlam - Burke Mountain.

Pratt was sentenced in May of last year to nine years for the death of Maple Ridge gas station employee Grant DePatie. The B.C. Court of Appeal has reduced that sentence to five years and ten months.

The Crown Counsel Act allows the Attorney General to request such an appeal.

“If the Attorney General and the B.C. Liberal Government truly disagree with this decision, then they will direct Crown Counsel to launch an appeal. The DePatie family deserves no less. And British Columbians expect no less,” Farnworth said.