Editing Robert Pickton (section)

==== '''''Trial''''' ====
Pickton's trial began on January 30, 2006 in New Westminster, BC, where Pickton pleaded not guilty to 27 charges of first degree murder. It took most of a year for the courts to decide which evidence would be admissible. The judge eventually decided that the unidentified bones would be inadmissable, due to lack of evidence. He then severed the charges, on August 9, splitting them into the six charges where bones or body parts were discovered and the twenty others. This was done both to expedite the trial, lessen the burden on the jury, and provide fewer opportunities for a mistrial.

The trial regarding the first six charges began on January 22, 2007. On December 9, 2007, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the charges of first degree murder, but guilty on six counts of second degree murder. Pickton was sentanced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years, which was the maximum punishment for a second degree murder conviction.

The additional twenty charges were formally stayed, in 2010, as the evidence was more likely to be overturned and it would not have led to any increase in punishment.

All told, the investigation and prosecution cost Canadian taxpayers $102 million.