Disappointment, resignation -- even shock.
The reactions of the defence lawyers in the Bandidos trial were as varied as their clients.
After hearing the jury deliver eight first-degree murder verdicts against his client, lawyer Clay Powell, who represented Wayne Kellestine, left the courtroom for a cigarette.
His client had been described as a psychopath and a monster by some of the other lawyers.
"It was a pretty tough case. I've known Wayne before this happened and he's none of those things. He's a farmer from Shedden," Powell said.
"Wayne didn't point any fingers at anybody and the ones that did were labelled rats. That'll cause them some problems in prison."
Up against several accused, lawyers and a Crown who cast their client as the mastermind behind the eight murders, Kellestine's defence team had a tough job.
Kellestine was relaxed as he listened to the verdicts. Powell said he was probably expecting the outcome.
Outside court, OPP Det. Insp. Paul Beesley, in charge of the case, was pleased. "We think justice was served today," he said.
"I want everyone to understand that biker gangs are inherently violent and I think that this trial has given us a glimpse into that lifestyle of the motorcycle gangs. Killing is wrong. It doesn't matter if you're a biker or not. I think the jury recognized that."
No one involved in the case expected the jury to come back so quickly. The six men and six women deliberated 14 hours, after seven months of evidence. "My main concern is how the jury could get through all that evidence . . . in something like a day and a half," said defence lawyer Don Crawford, who represented Michael Sandham, who also was found guilty of eight counts of first-degree murder.
"However . . . I'm prepared to live with the results (but) I wouldn't rule out an appeal."
His client, Crawford said, was "stoic" about the outcome.
Defence lawyer Greg Leslie, who represented Frank Mather, said his client was "almost in a state of shock" and he's starting immediately on an appeal.
"I expected (the jury's deliberations) to go into the weekend. Once I got the call, I had a bad feeling. Mr. Mather is very disappointed," Leslie said.
Mather was found guilty of one count of manslaughter and seven of first-degree murder.
Also disappointed was Brett Gardiner's lawyer, Christopher Hicks, fired after giving his closing address last week in an apparent attempt by Gardiner to save face with other bikers. Hicks had implicated Kellestine in his argument before the jury.
The jury found Gardiner guilty of two counts of manslaughter and six of first-degree murder.
"For Mr. Gardiner, I had higher hopes, so there's disappointment there," Hicks said. Whether he will appeal will be up to his former client, Hicks said.
Dwight Mushey, found guilty of eight counts of first-degree murder, fired lawyer Michael Moon. Moon made no comment.
Defence lawyer Tony Bryant, who represented Marcelo Aravena, also didn't speak to the media. Aravena was found guilty of one count of manslaughter and seven of first-degree murder.
Crown Attorney Kevin Gowdey read a prepared statement, thanking the police, the jury, and the prosecution team.
"We thank the families of the victims for their patience with the justice system," he said.
kate.dubinski@sunmedia.ca
