The months-long trial for Cody Legebokoff came to an end Thursday night.
Legebokoff was found by the supreme court jury to be guilty of first degree murder on four counts, for killing Natasha Montgomery, Loren Leslie, Jill Stuchenko, and Cynthia Maas.
The ruling makes Legebokoff one of Canada’s youngest known serial killer.
Maas’ sister Judy was one of many family members to speak after the verdict, giving thanks to the jury, and also expressing relief that Legebokoff has been brought to justice.
“They were more than just … a sex trade worker, or a drug addict, or a mental-health issue, they were truly human beings that lost their way,” she says. “Without the services and programs, there is only going to be more of this type of thing.”
Loren Leslie`s father Doug Leslie hopes the victims’ families can get on with their lives in a positive way, feeling happy with the verdict.
He also says he was not offended by Legebokoff’s testimony that three others he called “X, Y, and Z” were responsible for most of the killings, asking “How can you be offended with something that is not real?”
“He is obviously … who knows? There’s no words to describe him,” Leslie says. “He decided to set out that story and, well, this is what we have, and I’m really happy about it.”
Neil Mackenzie with the Criminal Justice Branch says sentencing will be handed down Friday morning, though a mandatory sentence that is always presented to the court in a first degree murder case is life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
