NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - When some of the early-morning media crews arrived Friday to begin another day of waiting while a jury deliberated the fate of accused serial-killer Robert Pickton, they discovered a Christmas tree with lights, a fancy glass tree topper -- and 26 angels.
Who put the decorated fir tree on the plaza outside the courthouse in suburban New Westminster is a mystery. It seems to have happened overnight.
But the 26 angels made of lace and cloth, undoubtedly representing the 26 first-degree murder counts against Pickton, buoyed the spirits of the family and friends of some of the victims who have been waiting for a verdict since last Friday.
Pickton is awaiting a verdict on six of the charges in a trial that began in January. He is to face a second trial on the remaining 20 counts at a later date.
"It's absolutely awesome,'' said Marilyn Kraft, mother of Cynthia Feliks, one of the women named on the second 20-count indictment. "The 26 angels are a godsend to our spirits.''
Kraft, who lives in Calgary and has been awaiting a verdict along with several friends and family members of other deceased women, said she picked out one of the angels as representing her daughter.
"I picked one out and she said, `This one's me, mom.' ''
The tree was initially discovered inside one of the many media tents set up outside the courthouse to house TV and radio networks' equipment.
It was later moved to the end of the plaza, where dozens of people spent time looking at it.
The lighted tree provided a welcome break from the tension that prevailed Thursday when jury deliberations were put on hold temporarily until the judge clarified his instructions.
Justice James Williams eventually gave the jury a green light to consider whether the accused killer was directly or indirectly involved in murdering six women.
The clarification resulted from a question from the jury.
Williams apologized to the jury and said he was "not sufficiently precise'' and was "in error'' in three paragraphs of his charge.
Pickton has been on trial since January in the disappearance of women from Vancouver's drug-infested Downtown Eastside.
