Brigitte Serre's mother fights to prevent killer's release

The mother of a murderedgas station attendantsays she's doing everything she can to stop her daughter's killer from getting parole.

• Life in prison for Montreal gas bar robbery-murder

Seventeen-year-old BrigitteSerrewas stabbed to death in January 2006, while she worked alone during an overnight shift at a gas stationin Montreal'sSt-Lonardneighbourhood.

I dont want Brigitte to have died for nothing.- Anna LisaRepele, Brigitte Serre's mother

TommyGagn wasconvicted of second-degree murder in 2007 and sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole for 10 years.

AsGagn's parole hearing date nears, Serre's mother,Anna LisaRepele, is petitioning his release.

Its not right if youre given 25 years, you should have 25 years. Had I known that at the time that the sentence was granted then I would have probably appealed, Repele told CBC'sDaybreak.

Its not easy. Im just trying to make a differenceand I dont want Brigitte to have died for nothing.

Repele has started a petition and she hopes to collect 7,500 signatures. So far she's received 6,300.

Repele says she plans to file the petition on her daughter's birthday April 15.

She hopes that correctional officers will include the petition in their review ofGagn's file.

Petition not likely admissible

Despite Repele'sefforts,Montreal criminal lawyer Eric Sutton saysthere's a good chance her petition won't be reviewed by the parole board.

"You cant help but feel sympathetic in such a tragic case, but with all respect I dont think the petition will be even admissible at his parole hearing," Sutton told CBC'sDaybreak.

"The parole board just doesnt have jurisdiction to consider that type of evidence. They have jurisdiction to hear from Brigittes mother through a victim impact statement, they can consider the sentence itselfand reports from the correctional authorities as to [Gagn's]progress, or medical information."

Repele says for now, she's just focusing on taking things one step at a time.

She says she's beenreceiving a lot of positive reaction and she'll continue to do everything she can to fightGagn's release.