Arvin Golic found guilty of manslaughter in death of Luka Gordic
Gordic, 19, was stabbed to death in Whistler 2 years ago
Arvin Golic has been found guilty of manslaughter in the swarming and stabbing death of Luka Gordic, two years after the 19-year-old was killed in Whistler, B.C.
Gordic was visiting the resort town for the May long weekend in 2015. The Burnaby man was walking around the village with some friends but got separated when he stopped at a 7-11 store just after midnight.
Police said 10 teenagers swarmed and stabbed Gordic as he was leaving the store.
Golic was one of four teens charged in the attack. He was 18 years old at the time.
More than 70 members of the Gordic family broke into applause in court upon hearing the guilty verdict Monday, hurling insults as he was led out of the courtroom.
However, the victim's uncle said they're not totally satisfied with the verdict.
"I think the gallery heard guilty, and I don't think they totally understood what was at stake in term of the charges," Gianni Buono told CBC News outside the Vancouver courthouse.
"Our family is looking for a second degree murder charge," he said, adding the family believes there's enough evidence to prove the more serious offence.
Family of Luka Gordic (killed in Whistler 2015 May long weekend) gather for Arvin Golic verdict. Seven VPD here to bolster sheriff power <a href="https://t.co/Wrtn1FX6SP">pic.twitter.com/Wrtn1FX6SP</a>
—@BellePuriVictim's mom Clara Gordic - in courtroom - shouted "garbage", "you should go with him" to Arvin Golic's family as he was lead out of court <a href="https://t.co/6K79SmGVa8">pic.twitter.com/6K79SmGVa8</a>
—@BellePuriBuono has said he thinks Gordic was attacked because he'd criticized one of Golic's friends for mistreating a woman in Whistler, but police haven't specified a motive.
"That was [Gordic's] character: to stand up for others. He chose to stand up for someone that night and this is what happens. We're devastated," the uncle said.
Gordic's mother, Clara, has said her son's life was taken away "for no reason."
Buono, Clara's brother, said his sister has been devastated by her son's death.
"She's not the same person," he said. "Luka was a fantastic young man ... A great kid, beautiful young person and a loving family member. We miss him so much."
The judge said the Crown failed to prove that Golic planned to kill the 19-year-old.
The three other co-accused were tried earlier this year and are awaiting a verdict. They can't be named because of their age.
With files from Belle Puri