Mary Kullman (right) mother of the victim receiving a hug from family member Teresa Meller after the verdict was read on Dec. 6, 2008 in Calgary. (Jack Cusano/SUN MEDIA)

After five days of deliberations, jurors found Bill Pappas guilty of second-degree murder yesterday for the Nov. 7, 2006, death of Calgarian Brian Kullman.

Pappas, 37, admitted to killing Kullman in his Inglewood home then dumping his body near Elbow Falls, west of Calgary.

But Pappas claimed he was provoked to commit the murder following months of extortion by Kullman, a charge the five-man, six-woman jury rejected.

Wearing a light-coloured turtleneck and his hair cut short, Pappas showed no emotion as the jury foreman read the verdict.

Kullman's family, however, wept with joy and hugged each other.

Waiting five days for the decision, said Kullman's father, Stan, was difficult for the family.

"It's tough, believe me," he said, minutes after the verdict was read.

Knowing justice will be served to the man who killed his son will help bring a sense of closure, added Stan.

"To a point, yes," he said.

"When the sentencing comes down, that will probably help more."

Kullman's brother, Kevin, said he was angered Pappas continually blamed the victim throughout the trial.

"Basically Brian spent his life as a distinguished man and made a life for himself, and then it takes a person like that to do what he's done then try and shoot down his reputa-tion at the same time," he said.

"It's hard to swallow because Brian made something of himself."

Hearing the jury foreman say the word "guilty," said Joanne Meller -- the victim's aunt -- is something she's been waiting more than two years for.

"A huge weight was lifted off me," she said.

"I'm just really happy that good has come through because Brian was honest and decent."

But seeing someone held accountable for the murder, said Meller, won't bring her a sense of closure.

"You can never get closure after losing a loved one," she said.

"It's a good feeling to see justice served.

"Now we can remember the good things about Brian and put this part behind us."

The conviction carries an automatic term of life in prison and Justice Colleen Kenny must now decide when Pappas will be eligible for parole, anywhere from 10 to 25 years.

Sentencing arguments are set for Jan. 19.