Gabriel Klein found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in Abbotsford high school stabbing

Gabriel Klein has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2016 death of an Abbotsford high school student.

Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes found Klein guilty of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Letisha Reimer. He was also found guilty of the aggravated assault of her friend.

Globalnews.ca coverage of the Gabriel Klein trial

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Following the verdict, Klein’s lawyer said his client has expressed remorse for the killing.

Crown and defence in the case agreed that Klein committed the stabbing. The case instead hinged on whether Klein intended to kill anyone, a factor that would have determined whether he should be found guilty of murder or manslaughter.

Defence argued a manslaughter charge is more appropriate, saying his client did not intentionally plan to walk into the school and stab the girls.

Defence also said Klein had stolen alcohol and a hunting knife earlier that day in order to get drunk and stab a police officer, an effort that he hoped would lead to his own death through suicide-by-cop.

Crown argued that Klein faked symptoms of a mental disorder after his arrest in order to be found not criminally responsible. It also said the amount of alcohol Klein may have consumed before the attack was not enough for him to be unaware of the natural consequences of his actions.

Reimer was stabbed 14 times. Her friend was also stabbed and suffered serious injuries.

Klein was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a forensic psychiatric hospital in June 2017 and has been receiving treatment.

He was deemed mentally fit to stand trial.

A decision was expected last month, but was delayed to give Justice Holmes more time to go over evidence.

Sentencing is scheduled for early June.

— With files from Jill Bennett, Sean Boynton and Simon Little