With Friday's closing arguments signaling the end of accused murderer Denecho King's trial, the family of victim John Wifladt took time outside the Yellowknife courthouse to reflect on a difficult and emotional four weeks SA国际影视传媒� and to remember the man they called a brother, a son and a friend.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was still really hard to hear all the information and details, especially watching my parents go through it,SA国际影视传媒� said John's sister Heather Poluk, adding she still grapples with her brother's SA国际影视传媒渦nimaginable,SA国际影视传媒� death.
Her parents, Jack and Alice Wifladt, regularly accompanied Poluk and her two siblings to court, sitting in on the majority of the often-jarring and emotionally-charged 20-day trial.
John Wifladt's family, from left, Rona Wifladt, Jack Wifladt, Alice Wifladt, Michelle Wifladt, Heather Poluk and Fred Sangris, gather in front of the Yellowknife courthouse Friday following closing arguments in the trial of Denecho King. Anger, sadness SA国际影视传媒� and a sense of comfort SA国际影视传媒� were expressed by family members.
The family's enduring presence in the courtroom meant they were exposed to crime scene evidence and other disturbing details about the 2014 attack that claimed the life of their loved one, John.
John and his childhood friend Colin Digness were found in a Yellowknife apartment bloodied and badly injured on Dec.14, 2014. John later died, while Digness survived, sustaining lasting injuries as a result of the attack.
Even with a SA国际影视传媒渉ard shell,SA国际影视传媒� John's father, Jack Wifladt, said the trial took an emotional toll on him.
SA国际影视传媒淚 break down, too,SA国际影视传媒� said Jack Wifladt, adding he was SA国际影视传媒渟ick, sick, sick,SA国际影视传媒� throughout the trial.
With King's fate now set to be learned in July, Jack Wifladt said he's left with mixed emotions.
SA国际影视传媒淢y son was a good person,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Despite the emotional weight of the trial, Jack Wifladt was a source of comedic levity at times, making other's laugh or crack a smile outside the courtroom SA国际影视传媒� something he said he did to foster unity among his family.
SA国际影视传媒淚t's to try and keep everybody together,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
With the trial complete, Wifladt said the outcome is now in the hands of Justice Andrew Mahar.
SA国际影视传媒淣ow the judge has got the hardest job of anybody and that is to say guilty or not guilty. I only pray that he makes the right decision,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Heather Poluk, who lives in Calgary, had to leave her husband and children to attend the month-long trial.
SA国际影视传媒淲hen I initially came here I was really nervous,SA国际影视传媒� said Poluk. SA国际影视传媒淚 honestly didn't think it would do anything for me in terms of healing.SA国际影视传媒�
But with support from John's friends and her own family, Poluk said was SA国际影视传媒渃omforted by how kind and incredibly helpful everyone has been throughout this.SA国际影视传媒�
In joining the chorus of family members who reminisced about the kind character of John throughout the trial, Poluk echoed her father's words.
SA国际影视传媒淗e was such a good man. Last person you'd expect this to happen to,SA国际影视传媒� said Poluk.
SA国际影视传媒淲e all miss and love him.SA国际影视传媒�
