Robert Pickton: Guilty Of Second Degree Murder

Sunday, December 9, 2007 - a date I’ll never forget.

I’m overwhelmed with all the media, family members, friends and professionals that showed up at the New Westminster Law Courts today. There were ‘smudges,’ prayers and women’s warrior songs for the First Nations victims.

Today I thought the verdict wouldn’t come in until Monday morning, so I stayed home to take care of some things. What a time to decide to stay home! I received a call from CBC producers to let me know that the verdict was in, so I jumped in my car, put the ‘pedal to the medal,’ all the way down to the courthouse to hear the verdict.

My anxiety left me shaking in my boots, mainly because of the fear of the unknown. I was so worried that he would be found not guilty, because each arguing side was so close.

I saw the worried looks amongst the families. I was sensitive to them, knowing some were family to the six victims whose lives were taken. As we waited for the jury to come into the courtroom, I watched the families. Of course it was overwhelming for them, and they were all in tears before, during and after the verdict.

A woman who used to be a nurse for DEYAS - the needle exchange program - came up to me and gave me a card with a native drawing on it by a D.M. Dennis. Then she told me how much she loved us. She gave us a hug and was quite emotional; she brought tears to my eyes.