A lawyer for the federal government is asking a BC Supreme Court judge to  dismiss a lawsuit launched by the family of a murder victim.

Had it not been for a botched response by the RCMP, Lisa Dudley might still be alive today.

The 37 year old and her boyfriend were gunned down in their home in Mission in 2008, but the RCMP failed to investigate the shooting for four days, and she died on the way to hospital.

In court this morning, a government lawyer argued Dudley's rights expired when she died, and her family can not sue on her behalf.

The victim's stepfather,  Mark Surakka, says they want someone to be held accountable, noting the Mountie who didn't do his job was docked one day's pay.

Arguments in court are expected to last two days.