Sobs broke out in the courtroom when a guilty verdict was read in the case of Gina Swanson.
A twelve person jury found Schuyler Van Wissen guilty of first degree murder after about five hours of deliberation.
“My only thought and comment was, short of the death penalty, that justice was served,” said Swanson’s sister Kirstin Swanson.
Gina Swanson was murdered in May of 2011.
Her father found her body in her Fort Garry home, bound and stabbed.
She was 33 years old and a devoted mother.
“She was the glue that held friend and family together, and brought everyone together,” said Kirstin Swanson.
Police charged Schuyler Van Wissen with first degree murder, and stated that Swanson did not know him. He pled not guilty.
After an emotional three week trial, jurors found Van Wissen guilty of first degree murder.
"It's been a long time coming and all we could do is hope and pray and it happened our way," said Kirstin Swanson.
Gina Swanson’s father Dennis, mother Marie and sister Kirstin all submitted victim impact statements.
Dennis Swanson chose not to read his aloud, and it was presented as an exhibit.
Marie and Kirstin Swanson read their statements to the courtroom, detailing the family’s pain after the murder.
Marie Swanson said “a chunk of me was taken away by a hideous, vile and repugnant act of violence.”
She called the crime “unforgiveable in this life and after.”
Kirstin Swanson told the court that Gina was a devoted mother, and said her daughter lives with pain in her heart.
She spoke of her close relationship with her sister.
“I lived for 33 years as an older sister. I am now an only child.” Kirstin Swanson said in her statement.
“Every day this kills me bit by bit.”
During sentencing Justice Richard Saull said it was a “senseless, brutal crime, the most serious in our law.”
He sentenced Van Wissen to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
"You'll never have full closure, no, I don't think ever. But it'll help me move forward," said Kirstin Swanson.
Swanson’s family and friends clapped and cheered after the verdict was read. They all wore pins with Swanson’s favourite colours in honour of her memory.
