WINNIPEG — A jury has found Treyvonne Willis guilty of first-degree murder in the brutal stabbing death of Kaila Tran, 26.
Willis was given a mandatory 25 year sentence and can apply for a reduced sentence in 15 years. When Judge Glen Joyal asked if Willis wanted to say anything he stood up and said, “No, not right now.”
READ MORE: Kaila Tran murdered over drug debt, crown says
Trans mother gasp out loud in court as Willis showed no emotion.
Tran was stabbed 30 times in the head and neck in what was described as a premeditated and vicious murder.
Court heard, Willis, 22, killed Tran to clear up a drug debt he owed to Tran’s boyfriend. The murder would clear that debt.
In a recorded police interrogation video played in court, Willis admitted to the killing saying, “I dealt with some bad people and the option was my life or her life and they were putting my immediate family in danger, too.”
“You thought you had no choice, no choice, Mr. Willis? Really? No choice? What about the police?” Judge Joyal said in response.
READ MORE: Shocking video released of accused killer Treyvonne Willis
In June 2012, Willis and a friend, who testified against him, had gone to Trans St. Vital apartment the night before the murder with the intent to kill her but she had already left for work.
The next day, Willis and the friend returned and Willis attacked Tran in the parking lot as she walked to her car.
The 12 member jury started deliberating late Thursday morning and reached a verdict at 5 pm Friday.
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