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Denecho King found guilty of second-degree murder, aggravated assault in 2014 attack

A packed Yellowknife courthouse erupted in cheers and cries Friday as a Supreme Court justice found Denecho King  guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated assault for the 2014 killing of John Wifladt in a brutal attack that left Wifladt’s best friend clinging to life.

Twenty-five year old King, joined by his sobbing mother who yelled profanities following the decision, showed little emotion as Justice Andrew Mahar read the verdict, convicting him of carrying out a bloody sword attack at a Yellowknife apartment three and a half years ago.

Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Denecho King, 25, smiled at reporters as he exited the Yellowknife Courthouse Friday after being convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated assault.

In the early hours of Dec. 14, 2014, Wifladt and his longtime friend Colin Digness were found bloodied and barely breathing inside a Sunridge Place Apartment unit – music still blaring, with two ornamental-style swords laying near the two badly injured men.

Wifladt later died, while Digness –present in court Friday – survived, sustaining life-changing injuries as a result of the attack.

In handing down his decision, Mahar called forensic evidence presented by Crown prosecutors over the 20-day trial – including the unusually large amounts of King's DNA found on the handles of the swords –"compelling."

Mahar also cited testimony from a witness who said King knocked on her Sunridge Place Apartment unit just 20 minutes before loud bangs were heard coming from Wifladt’s third floor unit as being a key piece of evidence.

Mahar said alternative scenarios suggested by King's lawyer Jay Bran as to how his client's DNA could have been transferred to the swords were "so implausible to the point of being almost impossible."

During the trial, King’s lawyer, Jay Bran, suggested his client’s DNA could have found its way onto the swords in a number of ways, and routinely questioned the handling of the crime scene by first responders. Ultimately, Bran suggested Wifladt’s death was the tragic result of an alcohol-fueled play fight between two friends that had turned-deadly.

King was originally charged and tried for attempted murder on the attack against Digness, but Mahar said the Crown couldn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that King had intended to kill Digness during the brief apartment room encounter. "Whatever happened, happened very quickly" said Mahar.

"I don't think he went there to kill anyone," said Mahar, adding King had shown probably shown up looking for party, as the Crown submitted during the trial.

Mahar expressed sympathy for "all families involved," including King's.

After a brief exchange with his lawyer, a shackled and stone-faced King turned to exit the courtroom, saying "peace bro" to his brother who sat nearby.

Relatives of John Wifladt, who attended court nearly everyday during the April to May trial, expressed relief to Yellowknifer following the verdict.

"It's been a long 3.5 years. We're happy with the verdict," stated Jack Wifladt, father of victim John.

While the Crown didn't get the attempted-murder conviction they were looking for, prosecutor Godfrey told Yellowknifer he and fellow prosecutor Jill Andrews "respect the decision of the court."

"We'll move on to the next phase which is now the sentencing phase. After being involved with the file for three and a half years, it's certainly a relief that it's over," said Godfrey.

King's lawyer said he's reserving comment until sentencing.

With second-degree murder convictions carrying an automatic life sentence, King won't be eligible for parole for at least 10 years.

King raised his cuffed hands and smiled at reporters as he excited the courthouse into a waiting police van.

King, who triggered a three-day police manhunt after breaking out of North Slave Correctional Complex in August 2016, is will be back in court in August to set a sentencing date, which is expected to be in September.

Full story to come.