REGINA – The courtroom erupted with a loud gasp followed by cries and cheers as the jury delivered its verdict in the Goforth murder trial.
Twelve jurors found Tammy Goforth guilty of second degree murder and Kevin Goforth guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of a four-year-old girl in their care in 2012.
“We’re overwhelmed with happiness,” – Victim’s Family Spokesperson
The couple huddled close together and Tammy sobbed into Kevin’s shoulder as the jury told the court they also found them both guilty of unlawfully causing bodily harm to the victim’s 2 year-old sister.
The girls birth mother was overcome with emotion in the courtroom and screamed out, “thank you Jesus” during the proceedings.
Judge Ellen Gunn had to ask the viewing gallery to quiet down because the jury couldn’t hear her questions.
After the verdict, the victim’s loved ones celebrated the outcome outside of court.
“We’re so thankful, we’re overwhelmed with happiness with the verdict. We’re not surprised we knew, we knew we were going to get justice,” said a family spokesperson.
Verdict Reaction
Over three weeks the jury heard at times graphic testimony from 20 different witnesses.
Court learnt the two girls were malnourished and dehydrated when they were taken to hospital in August 2012, where the four-year-old later died.
“This is definitely the hardest case I’ve ever prosecuted.” Kim Jones, Crown Prosecutor
Over the duration of the trial, the Crown highlighted numerous injuries over the girls’ bodies and argued the Goforths had used restraints to bind and confine them.
“This is definitely the hardest case I’ve ever prosecuted,” Crown prosecutor Kim Jones said. “It’s been an emotional roller coaster since day one.”
The defence claimed the girls were sick and the Goforths did their best to care for them without support from Social Services.
“There was always a possibility of conviction and she (Tammy) was aware of that,” Tammy Goforth’s attorney Jeff Deagle told reporters. “We weren’t expecting second degree murder and frankly we’re disappointed with the result.”
Kevin Goforth’s attorney, Noah Evanchuk said there’s no way to describe his client than heartbroken.
“It was a very difficult and emotional case but it was not the verdict we were hoping for.”
Second degree murder comes with a life sentence and the jury made no recommendation for eligibility of patrol.
A sentencing date will be held on February 12th.
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Jury Deliberations
After three weeks and 20 witnesses, the jury in the Goforth murder trial entered into deliberations Friday afternoon.
At around 9:45 Friday night the jury returned to the courtroom for clarification from the judge on the “mental element” in relation to the murder charge. Justice Ellen Gunn told the jury the Crown must have proven beyond a reasonable doubt the accused meant to kill or caused bodily harm to the victim, knowing that it was so dangerous it could cause death.
Shortly after the jury was sequestered, a small group formed outside the courthouse displaying pictures of the four-year-old victim.
Over the course of the trial, the jury heard the girls were malnourished, dehydrated and had numerous injuries.
It took the judge around five hours to read her instructions to the jury on their responsibilities in determining the verdict.
Both Goforths faced two charges each: second degree murder and unlawfully causing bodily harm. Justice Ellen Gunn outlined her instructions to the jury Friday morning.
READ MORE: Closing arguments made to jury in Goforth murder trial
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