WARNING: This story contains graphic content. Discretion is advised.
After nearly three days of deliberations, a jury has found two of five men accused in the 2013 swarming death of Calgary teenager Lukas Strasser-Hird guilty of second-degree murder Thursday.
Assmar Shlah, Franz Cabrera, Jordan Liao and Joch Pouk were accused of second-degree murder in the 18-year-old’s death.
READ MORE: ‘I didn’t murder anyone’ says accused in Lukas Strasser-Hird swarming death
Shlah and Cabrera were found guilty of second-degree murder. Pouk was found not guilty of second-degree murder, but guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Liao was acquitted, and left court a free man.
Family and friends of Strasser-Hird left court relieved with the jury’s findings.
Family and friends of Strasser-Hird left court relieved with the jury’s findings.
“I was going to clap, I was going to start clapping in there. We are pretty satisfied we knew that especially with Assmar, we knew he was the instigator; he started the whole thing. Justice has been served for Lukas,” said Strasser-Hird’s father, Dale Hird.
Strasser-Hird was beaten, kicked and stabbed outside of a southwest Calgary bar on Nov. 23, 2013. He died several hours later in hospital.
Watch below: Global’s ongoing coverage of the Lukas Strasser-Hird case
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New video released in Strasser-Hird trial -
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Man accused in Lukas Strasser-Hird swarming death thought it was a ‘bar brawl’ -
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‘I couldn’t do anything about it’: Friend of Lukas Strasser-Hird witnessed swarming attack -
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‘It’s a horror story in there,’ father says as Strasser-Hird swarming trial enters 5th week -
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Accused takes the stand in his own defence at Calgary swarming trial -
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Trail begins for accused in swarming death of Calgary man
READ MORE: ‘It’s a horror story in there,’ father says as Strasser-Hird swarming trial enters 5th week
A key piece of evidence in the case was CCTV video showing the moments leading up to the murder.
In the video, Shlah was seen in an altercation inside the bar that spilled outside.
Strasser-Hird was seen outside with his hands in his pockets hanging out with friends.
But he spoke up when he heard Shlah yell racist remarks to a bouncer. That led to Shlah shoving him so hard he was sent reeling. Soon after, he was swarmed.
Strasser-Hird was escorted into the bar, but five minutes later he was sent out the back door into the alley, where he was killed.
It took a team of prosecutors to bring this case to a successful conclusion.
“One of the accused was found not guilty, but our weakest case frankly was against him, so we are absolutely satisfied with this result,” prosecutor Ken McCaffrey said outside of court. “It would have been hard for the jury because we had 80 witnesses and probably 60 are from that night.
“You’re hearing 60 slightly different stories, so you have to really pick and choose who you believe.”
Shlah broke down as the verdict was read. His lawyer is already planning to appeal the conviction.
“He’s devastated. The boy is crying, he said, ‘I never touched the guy, I never touched him. How am I guilty of murder?’” defence lawyer Balfour Der said.
Defence for Cabrera will taking some time to process the verdicts.
“The verdict that we heard came as the product of 12 people taking their duties very seriously,” Gavin Wolch said.
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Both Shlah and Cabrera will face an automatic life sentence. Justice Glen Poelman has yet to decide their parole eligibility, but they will serve at least 10 years.
“He’s going to be looking at sentencing and that’s what we prepare for…I’m sure he was hoping for something else but obviously we respect the decision and we go from here to sentencing,” Wolch said.
Pouk will be sentenced for manslaughter. His lawyer says it’s too soon to say if he will appeal.
“We were prepared for any outcome today and there are still legal proceedings ongoing as we go forward and we are still looking at all of our alternatives depending on what happens,” Rame Katrib said.
READ MORE: Calgary man charged in 2013 swarming death back in custody on weapons, drugs charges
Poelman revoked Pouk and Shlah’s bail, who will both join Cabrera in custody. Cabrera had been re-arrested in November 2015 after a traffic stop led to a weapons and drug seizure.
A fifth man, Nathan Gervais, is accused of first-degree-murder in the case. He was out on bail and disappeared right before the trial. A warrant remains out for his arrest.
READ MORE: Canada-wide warrant issued for Calgary man accused in Lukas Strasser-Hird swarming death
“We’re just really glad it has come to this. There’s going to be the sentencing and of course when Nathan gets caught- another trial, but today’s a good day,” Hird said.
Strasser-Hird’s family said they can finally begin to heal from their heartbreaking loss.
“It was a very very good relief for us. This is the beginning of justice for Lukas,” Hird said.
A date for sentencing will be set Aug. 5.
With a file from Global’s Erika Tucker
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