Misogyny

Nurture cannot always trump nature.  Karen Boden, 54 years of age, living in Vancouver, could not have foreseen that her son whom she loved as a child, would become a man whom she feared as an adult.

"The justice system has to know that Josh should not be released on bail.  He should not be back on the streets until he deals with his anger, gets therapy and gets off drugs and alcohol.  Many, many women are just not safe from him."

This is not a typical mother's attitude and warning and statement about a beloved son.  But Josh Boden is not a typical son, either.  His list of convictions and charges are voluminous, from sexual assaults and assaults to more sexual assaults.  And doubtless drug convictions as well.

His mother is so fearful of him she has sought protective custody and attempted to change her appearance in hopes her son would not readily recognize her.  She is desperate that her son receive the help he needs, and not be released out of custody.  And she is intent on being able to offer his three-year-old son an opportunity at a life without his father's influence.

"This is my grandson, and just like Josh was, he's a beautiful little boy and a happy child, and I want him to have a better life than his dad.  As long as Josh is out of jail and near his son, I can't risk seeing my grandson."

She loves her son, but his violence which she attributes to his taking steroids, along with sports-related concussions have taken their toll.  As have his addictions to drug and alcohol, which he was evidently introduced to from the age of eleven.

He was scouted as a teen, as a promising young athlete.  And he spent three years with the B.C. Lions.  Their 2007 season was his last.  And he is now 25 years of age.  Convicted of two sex assaults last December, due to be sentenced in July.  Out on bail on other charges, of assaulting two men and uttering death threats.

His mother blames other people in the sports field for having introduced her son to steroids, money, cars and lots of "available" women.  He was charged with the assault of his former girlfriend in 2008.  She was a young mother, a tanning-salon owner.  Her uncertainty over testifying at his trial led to his acquittal.

Shortly afterward there were other charges relating to firearms.  Which was when he was given the boot by the Hamilton Tigercats.  "Josh threw away his own career opportunities", says his mother.  In response to her son having blamed his former girlfriend for "ruining" his football career.

A year after he was charged with sexual assault on this same girlfriend, she was murdered in her home, leaving her young daughter motherless.  Her death remains "an active and open investigation", with Josh Boden considered a "person of interest".