I feel an enormous sense of relief to know the verdict is finally in after 110 days of testimony (ten months) and almost ten days of deliberation. Here it is:

Just before noon today, Robert “Willie” Pickton, charged with 26 counts of first-degree murder, was found guilty of 6 counts of second-degree murder. (A second trial covering his involvement in the other 20 deaths is supposed to start next year.)

I was shocked that Pickton wasn’t found guilty of first-degree murder—so I guess I’m unhappy with the verdict—but at the same time I’m not surprised. The defense had raised enough doubt about the quality of the evidence that the jury was unable to find a conviction of first-degree murder—there was enough doubt in their minds about other people possibly being involved in the murders.

So, I have to wonder about the evidence that was excluded—“What the jury didn’t hear.” Just as in my sister’s case (Cindy James), there was evidence that was not heard by the jury. (Cindy’s case was examined at an inquest whereas Pickton actually went to trial.) I know this because I found evidence many years later that I’ve since wondered if it might have changed the outcome at the 1990 inquest into Cindy’s death if the jury had heard it!

I suspect Pickton will be “going away” for a very long time (whether we hear victim impact statements or not)—six consecutive life sentences I presume. (I’ll keep you posted!) After all, it’s still murder. He killed those women.

But shouldn’t there be a public inquiry into why he couldn’t be caught sooner?

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My Friend
Read an excerpt now
The unsolved mystery of the death of Cindy James