Port Coquitlam pig farmer Robert Pickton has just been found guilty of six counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Marnie Frey, Andrea Joesbury, Georgina Papin, and Brenda Wolfe.

The jury delivered its decision on Sunday (December 9) shortly after 11:30 a.m. Murder in Canada is considered either first-degree or second-degree. First-degree murder is defined by the Criminal Code as "planned and deliberate". The jury rejected the Crown's argument that Pickton planned the six murders, reaching a verdict of second-degree murder on all six counts.

Pickton, 58, is expected to receive sentencing on Tuesday, after the Crown and defence submit their cases to the judge on a reasonable period of time when he will not be eligible for parole. Convicted murderers are usually given a "faint hope" ability to seek parole after 15 years; the Criminal Code's relevant section makes it clear this does not apply to multiple murderers.

Pickton still faces 20 other charges.

The Georgia Straight will continue to cover this story on its web site and in next week's edition, which will be distributed across the Lower Mainland on Thursday (December 13).

Related stories:
News: Liberal MPs private-members bill calls for consecutive sentences for serial killers, but it comes too late for Robert Pickton
Commentary: Robert Pickton verdict: low-track killing fields remain ripe for harm by Jamie Lee Hamilton
Commentary: Will the Pickton verdict spur governments to proceed with the Native Youth Centre in East Van?
News: Pickton verdict won't be cause for celebration
Backgrounder: Robert William Pickton backgrounder
Documents: Robert William Pickton's indictment
News: "Women say it's time to heal"
Interviews: "What has changed since women on the Downtown Eastside started going missing?"
Personal: "A rash decision to attend the Robert Pickton trial"
Books: Review of Stevie Cameron's The Pickton File

External links:
Timeline at CBC BC
Missing women at Missing People.net
Map of the farm at 953 Dominion Avenue, Port Coquitlam