The murder of Derek Descoteau in Chemainus in May of 2016 has left heavy emotional scars for Janelle Guyatt, his girlfriend at the time, and mother Brenda Smith.

On top of that, Guyatt has physical wounds from a knife attack by accused Colin John that will likely never be completely healed.

The two women talked about the toll the trial has taken on them as they relived details of the murder during three weeks of testimony. Proceedings against John on second-degree murder and attempted murder charges wrapped up in Duncan Supreme Court last week.

Defence lawyer Scott Sheets is seeking a psychiatric assessment of John prior to opening his defence. A pre-conference trial in February will determine a date for resuming the trial in either March or April.

The long delays donB次元官网网址檛 sit well with DescoteauB次元官网网址檚 family and friends whoB次元官网网址檝e already endured more than two and half years waiting for justice to be served.

The trial was also previously halted while a determination was made whether John was fit to continue.

B次元官网网址淎fter the first three days when they put the trial on hold, it felt like the first weeks after he died,B次元官网网址� said Smith.

B次元官网网址淚t makes you not want to do anything,B次元官网网址� noted Guyatt. B次元官网网址淚t puts a damper on everything.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲hen we got that call he was fit to continue, it was a relief,B次元官网网址� Smith added. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 have to wait a longer period of time.B次元官网网址�

Smith said she was told by the prosecutor five days before the trial that Sheets would be seeking a not criminally responsible defence so she was prepared for the latest delay, but still doesnB次元官网网址檛 understand it.

B次元官网网址淲hy did they wait two and a half years to do the not criminally responsible?B次元官网网址� she pondered.

Guyatt, only 16 at the time of the incident and still just going on 19 in February, has been a rock throughout the ordeal. She was precise on the stand and brave in the face of what sheB次元官网网址檚 been through.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 my girl,B次元官网网址� said Smith.

The two have stayed in touch since DerekB次元官网网址檚 murder and Guyatt is just like one of the family.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been rough,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 just try to make the best of it. All of our friends have been amazing and supportive.B次元官网网址�

Guyatt was on the stand for an entire day.

B次元官网网址淚 had to go through and relive it and be questioned on it,B次元官网网址� she conceded. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been trying to keep busy with work.B次元官网网址�

Guyatt completed a hairdressing course through Vancouver Island University since DescoteauB次元官网网址檚 murder and has been working at Island Hairdressing in Duncan. She faces six to eight months off work, however, for a fourth surgery on her left side to try and repair nerve damage from the attack.

Smith has been in court for most of the trial so far. B次元官网网址淟ast week was a pretty brutal week,B次元官网网址� she said.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 when Smith heard from a blood splatter expert about her son suffering 16 stab wounds.

The presentation of dash cam evidence also proved highly sensitive for her.

B次元官网网址淵ou can hear DerekB次元官网网址檚 last words,B次元官网网址� noted Smith. B次元官网网址淚 was told by the prosecutor I might want to step out of the court.B次元官网网址�

She did just that, but has otherwise been there every step of the way. Her daughter Paula Phillips just couldnB次元官网网址檛 bring herself to go through all the painful details.

Smith and her husband Steve, DerekB次元官网网址檚 dad Paul and all the family are overwhelmed by the support theyB次元官网网址檝e received from DerekB次元官网网址檚 friends.

B次元官网网址淚 hardly knew any of DerekB次元官网网址檚 friends,B次元官网网址� said Smith.

She said they all send her messages on MotherB次元官网网址檚 Day on Facebook and provided her with an incredible boost.

B次元官网网址淓verybody loves Brenda,B次元官网网址� Guyatt grinned.

Having lost another son, Dustin, in a car accident three years earlier, SmithB次元官网网址檚 willpower has already been tested way above the norm.

SheB次元官网网址檚 comforted by the three memorial cruises through Lake Cowichan and along the Renfrew Road circle route that have been held since DerekB次元官网网址檚 death. ThereB次元官网网址檚 also a memorial on the side of the road about 20 minutes from the Lake Cowichan turnoff with the initials DD and a memorial sign that now stands as a tribute to Derek and Dustin.

B次元官网网址淥ne thing really hurts, Derek had the biggest dreams,B次元官网网址� said Smith. B次元官网网址淗e wanted to be married at 30. He wanted to own his own house.

B次元官网网址淗is dream was a big house and he was going to rent the basement suite and he was going to have a big garage with many vehicles.B次元官网网址�