Six years after a Madera teenage girl was brutally murdered, her parents finally are able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Friday in Modesto, a jury found 25-year old Dustin Gran guilty on four charges, including first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He was accused of killing 18-year old Krista Pike in January of 2008.
"Today we couldn't get home soon enough to kick our shoes off and have a sigh of relief that we've gotten through this phase of this time," said Russel Pike.
"Yeah about halfway home I started to go woo-hoo as the shock was going down," said Stacie Pike.
To understand Russel and Stacie Pike's giddy attitude, you have to realize what the couple has been through the last six years.
Not only did they lose their daughter to senseless violence, they lost their jobs, separated in marriage and moved to different cities.
"We were in a rough spot," said Stacie Pike.
The only constant was their determination to seek justice. Friday in Modesto they got it as Dustin Gran was found guilty of murder.
"Krista is already gone. We've learned how to live with that and how to be accepting of it. What's important to me is my other children will not have to worry about it," said Stacie Pike.
Investigators say gran and his co-conspirator, Brittney Navarra, killed 18-year old Krista as part of a twisted love triangle. The now 21-year old Navarra is scheduled to begin her trial May 13th.
"I don't look forward to it, but I want it now," said Stacie Pike.
Through their trials and tribulations, the entire Pike family has grown stronger. Their faith in the court system has been restored and last October Russel and Stacie's marriage was renewed. All of this has them thinking their once little girl is smiling down on them.
"I think that she's happy that we are reunited and able to be with our children and our grandchildren that we're blessed with," said Russel Pike.
Gran still has to face a second trial, which is a sanity phase. It begins on Wednesday. The verdict will determine whether he serves his time in prison or a mental institution.