Pickton Found Guilty on Six Counts of Murder

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Pickton, a pig farmer from Port Coquitlam, stood trial for the deaths of Sereena Abotsway, Marnie Frey, Andrea Joesbury, Georgina Papin, Mona Wilson and Brenda Wolfe. All were from the Eastside area of downtown Vancouver. Some had worked in the sex trade, and there were accusations that the disappearance of so many women had been ignored because of their lifestyle.

Screams were heard in the courtroom when the words "not guilty" were read, and then everyone fell silent as the news sank in that Pickton was found not guilty of any counts of first-degree murder. Lynn Frey, the stepmother of victim Marnie Frey, said:

We're devastated...We can't understand how he didn't get first-degree.

The difference between first-degree and second-degree murder are elements of deliberation and planning, as opposed to acting on an impulse or on the spur of the moment. First-degree murder carries a sentence of life in prison without parole eligibility for 25 years; a person convicted of second-degree murder also receives a life sentence but parole eligibility can begin within 10 to 25 years, as determined by the judge. According to CTV, the jury has left the courtroom to decide whether they will make recommendations to the judge on the length of the sentence.

Wally Oppal, Attorney General of B.C., said that because of the elements of deliberation and planning, it was

difficult for the Crown to prove first-degree murder...We think the jury delivered the proper verdict.

He also praised the prosecutors for their work.

Oppal also said that family members will be consulted regarding the outstanding 20 charges of murder and that he will be guided by the "public interest" in determining whether Pickton will stand trial again. He commented:

Keep in mind that he's been convicted now of six counts of second-degree murder and will get six mandatory life sentences.

When asked about the cost of the first trial, Oppal couldn't confirm the cost, which is believed to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. He said cost wouldn't be a factor in determining whether a second trial will proceed.

Pickton's February 2002 arrest led to

the most intensive forensic investigation in Canadian history,

and he gained notoriety as Canada's most prolific serial killer.

The defendant pled not guilty, and the trial started on January 22, with a seven-man, five-woman jury seated. They heard 128 witnesses (98 for the Crown and 30 for the defense, or three times as many witnesses for the prosecution) and two closing arguments. Deliberations began on November 30. Additionally, there was a recent delay when Justice James Williams of the British Columbia Supreme Court instructed jurors on applicable law.