It's the first anniversary of serial killer Robert Pickton's conviction of six counts of second-degree murder.
But the nightmare continues for the families of 20 more women who vanished from Vancouver's downtown Eastside.
Gasps and muffled screams erupted in a New Westminster courtroom on December 9th a year ago when the jury foreman announced Pickton was not guilty of first-degree murder.
The gasps were silenced when the foreman immediately announced a guilty verdict on second-degree murder.
The same verdict followed on remaining five counts and Pickton was sentenced to life in prison.
The 59-year-old can apply for parole after he serves 25 years.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Vancouver's Crab Park for Pickton's victims,
Marilyn Kraft, whose murdered daughter Cindy Feliks is one of the 20 outstanding cases, says 11 years after Feliks vanished, she is exhausted by the ordeal.
Outreach workers in the Downtown Eastside say little has changed since Pickton's conviction.
Kate Gibson of a women's safe house says although Pickton is in jail, women -- especially sex trade workers -- in the neighbourhood still face significant risks.
Appeals begin in March to determine if Pickton will be tried on another 20 murder charges involving women who vanished from the area.
Pickton could get a new trial on the first six counts, a trial on all 26 counts -- or his convictions could be upheld and the Crown would abandon action on the 20 outstanding charges.
With a report from The Canadian Press
