EDMONTON – It was an emotional day in an Edmonton courtroom as 16 victim impact statements were read in a case that dates back to 2006.
That’s when 20-year-old Dylan McGillis was stabbed to death on Whyte Avenue. Seven years later, the only man charged in the case has been found guilty of manslaughter.
The question that still remains is how much time Cleophas Decoine-Zuniga should serve. The Defence is asking for somewhere between three and four years, while the Crown would like to see between four and six.
“No amount of time will change anything,” McGillis’ father, Grant McGillis, said.
“It’s like the defence attorney said. But it’s something that can hopefully deter other people from doing things.”
In his victim impact statement, he said that the most he can hope for is that Decoine-Zuniga has some degree of remorse.
“I want you to know, I despise you, and I hope and pray that karma plays a role in your life.”
McGillis’ mother, Marlene Beres, said in her statement that she spends time with her son at his grave.
“My soul has been wounded,” the heartbroken mother said. “I used to believe there was good in everyone, but not now.”
McGillis was out with friends when, what started as a confrontation between two groups turned into a swarming. He was beaten and stabbed, and later died in hospital.
Decoine-Zuniga was arrested nearly five years later, following an undercover police operation. The Court has determined he didn’t stab McGillis but that he took part in the group fight.
On Tuesday, Decoine-Zuniga showed little emotion when he addressed court, offering his apologies from a written statement.
“Self preservation – that’s all that was, as far as I believe,” said Dylan’s father.
When his son was out with friends that November night, he was celebrating the fact he was going to become a father. The little girl, who was born eight months after his death, is now being raised by her grandparents. They remind her often about who her father was.
“She said she wished she could die and go to heaven to be with her daddy,” Dylan’s father told the court as he read his victim impact statement.
Soft cries could be heart in the courtroom.
A sentence is expected on March 19.
With files from Vinesh Pratap, Global News
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