Robert Pickton Found Guilty Of Six Counts Of Second-Degree Murder
Posted December 9, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Robert William Pickton, one of the worst serial killers in Canadian history, was found guilty Sunday of six counts of Second-Degree murder in the deaths of six Vancouver women.
The 58-year-old Port Coquitlam pig farmer is charged with the murders of Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Georgina Papin, Brenda Wolfe and Marnie Frey.
Jurors returned the verdict after almost 10 days of deliberations.
“Today’s verdicts are for the families and friends of these six women,” Stan Lowe, spokesman for the Crown, said after the verdict was announced.
The Crown and defence called a total of 128 witnesses – 98 for the Crown and 30 for the defence – since the trial began on January 22nd.
Pickton admitted the partial remains of six women were found on his farm, but he denied killing them. He’s now facing 26 counts of First-Degree murder. He had pleaded not guilty back a year ago. He’s also charged with a further 20 counts and that trial is to get underway depending on whether there is an appeal for the first conviction of six counts.
There were gasps then muffled cheers as the verdict came down in a New Westminster, B.C. courtroom on Sunday.
It’s being reported that family members of the six women in the courtroom were initially distressed as the jurors read out not-guilty on the charge of First-Degree murder. Then they quietly rejoiced and fled the courthouse in tears, running into the courtyard when jurors announced that Pickton was instead guilty of the lesser charge of Second-Degree murder.
Pickton stood in the prisoner’s box, flanked by his lead lawyers. He bowed his head and looked at the ground while the verdicts were read, but he showed no emotion.
Justice James Williams commended the five women and seven men of the jury for spending 10 months hearing evidence and then a further 10 days deliberating.
“Over the last long long time, it’s a year now, while carrying out your obligations, you’ve represented the people of Canada in this very important task and on their behalf, I want to offer you my most sincere thank you,” Williams said. “You know now what an enormous responsibility it is to judge your fellow man and you have performed this task admirably in my view.”
The verdicts mean Pickton will still face a life sentence, but he’ll be eligible for parole in 10 years rather than the 25 that a First-Degree conviction calls for.
Marnie Frey’s mother, Lynn, was one of many family and friends to speak following the decision.
“At least we’ve got accountability, we got justice and that’s what I started this mission in 97 when Marnie first went missing, was for accountability and justice and now I have it,” she said.
Murray Watson, who was a friend of one of those other 20 women, said the verdict was overwhelming and it leaves many of the families asking the million-dollar question on whether there will be a second trial.
In his final summation, Crown prosecutor Mike Petrie urged jurors not to let Pickton “put one over on them.” He said all of the evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, pointed to Pickton being responsible for the deaths of the six.
The Crown’s evidence was among the most grisly ever aired in a Canadian courtroom including hours of interegation videos and a recording Pickton made himself.
Families Of Pickton Victims Pleased With Guilty Verdict While Others Wait For Shot At Justice
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The Robert Pickton Case: A Timeline
