James Rajbhandari found guilty of 2nd-degree murder

There were nods and smiles from Wyatt Lewis' family as the jury announced its guilty verdict in James Rajbhandari's second-degree murder trial.

The panel of 12 men and women deliberated for about nine hours before coming to itsdecision.

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The 30-year-old who has no prior criminal recordwas sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years based on a joint recommendation from Crown and defence. He didn't react as the verdict was read.

"My life partner was torn out of my life," Lewis' widow, Leigh, wrote in a victim impact statement that was read to the court after the verdict.

She described feelings of sadness, anger and insecurity in the years since her husband's death. Her children also struggle and are in counselling.

Lewis had been out with an old friend when theywere invited to a party at an apartment building on16thAvenueN.W in September2012.

A fight broke out between a couple of the partygoers, sopeople were ordered out of the apartment, andLewis was stabbedin the chaosof a mass exodus.

During the trial, the court heard that Rajbhandarihad fresh cuts on his hands when policeinterviewed himand his blood was found on a knife that had been hidden on the apartment balcony.

Turn the page, move forward

"We think that justice was done and we're relieved for the family especially," said prosecutor Marta Juzwiac. "I know that this was a really difficult trial for them."

About a dozen members of Lewis' family sat through the trial.

"I think I was literally holding my breath," said his brother JamesCarmichael. "It was very emotional, it was a big release of emotion."

Though he says he will be at future parole hearings, Carmichael says the next step for his family is clear.

"Turn the page, move forward."