The Pickton Trial - Day Two Of Gina's Testimony

I had reflected yesterday evening on my life and the people I knew, both past and present, and I looked at them the way others might perceive them. In my immediate circle, I have a dear friend who was just found not guilty of murder; I have many friends convicted of assault, B&E and myriad of drug charges, not to mention one or two friends convicted of gun-related offenses and marijuana growing.

I loved these people; to me they were friends, loved ones, confidantes...they were more than just their charges, and I looked at them beyond what a court of law said.

So when a very frail and exhausted looking Gina Houston took the stand today and referred to "Willie" as gentle, kind, softspoken and thoughtful, I could stomach it more. She was not referring to "Canada's Supposed Largest Serial Killer" (the person I see when I look at him), but rather was describing Willie, her "friend."

Today the testimony focused on digging deeper into what was revealed yesterday. Many questions were put forth about the conversation she had with her friend "Willie" while on the phone with him in early December, 2001. She recalled how the call initially had no real purpose - it was just one friend calling another. They spoke for approximately five minutes, and in that short call, he mentioned that some female was in the kitchen. Gina, in fact, did hear a female voice.

Then someone came to the door and conversation paused so Pickton could say "come in." Then there was new female and male voice and sounds of a scuffle in the background.