Kristopher Guenther found guilty of first-degree murder of Lacey Jones-McKnight
Posted Mar 20, 2015 3:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A bittersweet moment inside a Calgary courtroom Friday, for the loved ones of Lacey Jones-McKnight, as her killer Kristopher Guenther was found guilty of first-degree murder.
It took more than an hour for the ruling to be read and the justice asked for no outbursts.
He found much of Guenther’s evidence to be contrived and added there was little doubt in his mind that the victim was unlawfully confined.
There was no visible signs of emotion from the prisoner’s box as Guenther sat and listened.
He added Guenther’s state of mind at the time appeared to be one of agitation.
Jones-McKnight’s family immediately burst into tears upon hearing the verdict and began to hold each other for support.
Lacey’s mother Shelley Jones told reporters afterwards she was exuberant.
“It’s the best way to put it, just extremely relieved and a huge burden has been lifted off our shoulders today,” she said. “Lots of tears for sure, tears of joy, relief and extreme gratitude to her team, we call them the dream team, the two crown prosecutors and the homicide detective.”
It’s been a long road for Jones who has been there day in and day out, hoping to get justice for her little girl.
“I was grateful for that too because it gave me time to build up my strength to get through this,” she said.
Jones, who had fought tooth and nail to get the charge facing Guenther upgraded from second-degree to first-degree, said she never had one doubt he would be found guilty.
“I wouldn’t even sign the subpoena for me to come and testify for the second-degree, I just right refused with slight threats of arrest, it was for my girl and I wasn’t going to back down on that one.”
“I’ve been working on it (a victim impact statement) for months, I think I’ve re-done mine at least 60 times now and I don’t think there’s anyway I can put it into words, what goes on inside my heart, just the turmoil and the sorrow,” she said, choking back tears.
Jones credited her support network for keeping her strength up while they waited for a resolution.
When asked if there was justice now for her daughter, Shelley admits it’s a struggle.
“Because ultimately my first thought was that this monster destroyed so many lives, including his own, she was a beautiful young girl, she loved him, stood by him and saved his life at one point.”
Standing next to his co-counsel Joe Mercier, Chief Crown Prosecutor Lloyd Robertson said they’re pleased with the ruling.
“I want to say it’s a tragic case of domestic violence and my heart goes out to all the family, friends and those who knew Lacey, especially the immediate family,” he said. “It’s really a testament to the great work of the Calgary Police Service.”
The matter has now been adjourned to Criminal Appearance Court on April 10th, where victim impact statements will be read and a sentencing date will be set.
First-degree murder in Canada carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
