Brett Wiese's friends share emotional impact statements at murder trial
CBC News | Posted: January 14, 2015 1:23 AM | Last Updated: January 14, 2015
Calgary judge has yet to decide whether young woman found guilty will be sentenced as an adult
The young woman found guilty in the stabbing death of a University of Calgary student two years ago broke down in a Calgary courtroom as dozens of young people talked about the loss of their friend.
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Brett Wiese, 20, bled to death in January 2013 after being attacked at a house party in the city's northwest.
The woman cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because she was just 17-years-old when she was charged.
She sat quietly in the prison box during the victim impact statements, occasionally wiping away tears, but started sobbing when one of the witnesses addressed her directly saying she was forgiven.
Colton Lewis was also stabbed that night.
He says the crime has left him with an overwhelming feeling of confusion as to why he survived and his best friend didn't.
Uninvited party guests returned
In earlier testimony, the accused admitted to being kicked out of the Brentwood party that night. The court was told the woman refused to go and was screaming, swearing and swinging at partygoers before vowing to return.
About 10 people arrived at the party around 3 a.m. and an altercation ensued.
Mitchell Harkes, who was with the returning group, is accused of stabbing Wiese six times. His trial is scheduled for this fall.
The young woman on trial was accused of stabbing Wiese once more in the back.
The judge still has to decide if the accused will be sentenced as an adult or as a young offender. Arguments for and against the decision will be heard at the end of February.
She has been found guilty of second-degree murder, two counts of assault and one count of aggravated assault for injuries sustained by other partygoers.