Parents of Meika Jordan look toward uncertain new year

CALGARY– A picture of six-year-old Meika Jordan is hung lovingly on the Christmas tree at the Woodhouse home.

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2015 has been a rough year for the Jordan family, and the year isn’t ending with the closure they had hoped for.

“We’re at the point where we were supposed to be able to sit back and go ok we’ve done it we’ve made it we’re kind of right back in the initial chaos and confusion all over again,” said Brian Woodhouse, Meika’s step-father.

Meika was killed in Nov. 2011. Meika’s father Spencer Jordan, and step-mother Marie Magoon were charged with first degree murder. It was one of most high profile murder trials of the year. For six weeks, Meika’s mother and step father Kyla and Brian Woodhouse heard graphic details of the torture and abuse Meika suffered.

“It literally tore my heart in half to know what she went through,” said Kyla Woodhouse

Jordan and Magoon were convicted of the lesser charge of second degree murder but even a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years didn’t bring the Woodhouse’s the closure they had hoped for because Jordan and Magoon have appealed both their convictions and sentences.

“I think we both kind of imagined on the last day of the trial that would be it. You see on TV, the judge bangs the gavel and the jail bars close and that’s the end of it…and unfortunately reality is that’s not the end of it,” Brian Woodhouse said.

Their appeals will be heard in Sept. 2016 but in the meantime, the possibility of a re-trial looms overhead.

For Brian Woodhouse, the uncertainty is stressful.

“Is a loop hole going to be found or created? Or are we going to have to go through another six week trial?”

“Just trying to think of what could possibly happen it brings up all those feelings and emotions again…we close that door just to open it right back up,” said Kyla.

Brian and Kyla Woodhouse take some solace in knowing the crown has also appealed. The prosecution has asked the Court of Appeal to substitute a conviction of first degree murder for the second degree conviction. The Woodhouses say they want Jordan and Magoon to accept their guilt, and punishment.

“That would be the ultimate for us. For them to admit what they’ve done deal with their consequences drop the appeals do your time for what you’ve done and let us have our family and be able to move forward in our lives to actually be able to close this chapter,” Kyla Woodhouse said.

No matter what 2016 brings, they say they will never stop fighting for justice. And she will always be alive in their hearts.

“She’s still a very big part of our family even though she’s not with us anymore.”