Lacey Jones McKnight's mother launches police commission complaint

The mother of Lacey Jones McKnight,a young woman killed in what prosecutors allege was an act of domestic violence, has launched a complaint with the Calgary PoliceCommission.

Shelly Jones's daughterdied in October2012.

McKnight and herfiancKristopher Guenther had just broken up when Jones claimshebegan stalking, threatening and acting violently towards the 20-year-old. Her body was found in a car in the northeast andGuentherwas charged with first-degree murder in her death.

"I've spent the last two years since my daughter's deathgathering evidence," Jones said.

She said police were called six times between August and Octoberin 2012. According todocuments obtained through aFreedom of Informationand Protection of Privacy (FOIP) request,none of the files were ever passed on to the domestic conflict unit.

But those same documents showon two of the visits officers asked McKnightFamily Violence Investigative Report (FVIR)questions.

It's a type of risk assessment and Jones saysthose questionsprovepolicehad domestic conflict concerns.

Jones brought a binder of documents that included officers' handwritten notes, incident reports and 911 call transcriptions to the Calgary Police Commission office on Macleod Trail Tuesday.

Jones says the documentsshow that officers did notfollow domestic violence protocols.

Daughter terrorized, says Jones

"These officers, each and every one of them, literally had my daughter's life in their hands," Jones said.

Jones saysher daughter wasterrorized in the weeks leading up to her death. Shebegan keeping close tabs by driving herto and from work. She alsocalledpolice for a break-in, threats and an incident where McKnight's tires were slashed.

Guenther was never charged in connection with those incidentsand none of the allegations were ever proven in court.

"She was so defeated and felt so hopeless and helpless that she stopped phoning the police," said Jones.

Police provided a written statement in response to Jones's allegations.

"Our primary focus at the moment is ensuring we are 100 per centprepared for the criminal trial and that justice is served for Lacey and the family left behind from this domestic violence tragedy,"reads the statement.

"Any internal processes in relation to the file would proceed after the criminal trial has taken place."

Jones wants two things: for responding officers to be held accountable and to prevent other women from ending up in similar circumstances.

Guenther's murder trialbegins next month. Jones has been told by the commission that the investigation into her complaint will be begin once it's concluded.