Family & friends react to the jury finding Suarez Noa guilty of 2nd degree murder

Thursday night a jury found Haiden Suarez Noa guilty of second degree murder. It was an unusual case in that the crown appealed the first verdict of manslaughter three years ago; but Tania Cowell’s friends and family say they would go through the horrifying ordeal again to send the message that domestic violence is intolerable and that harsh words cannot provoke a murder.

Jodie Manktelow and Brenda Milburn each testified and sat through two trials full of graphic evidence of their friend’s murder. They say they would be Cowell’s voice through another trial if they had to.

Suarez Noa’s defence was that he had been provoked by Cowell and that he stabbed her 11 times too crazed to know he was committing murder.

“It’s maddening. It was so hard to keep your composure, listening to those words being said about her. It’s hard.”

Her friends say Tania Cowell was nothing like the argumentative woman described by Suarez Noa.

In the first trial, a psychiatrist testified that provocation leading to manslaughter was possible in Suarez Noa’s case. His evidence was one reason the appeal was granted.

Tania Cowell’s son Bailun is now being raised by her brother Ivon and his wife Julie who have other kids.

“They’re amazing. He’s exactly where he’s supposed to be, if he couldn’t be with his mother.”

He’s now six and in grade one, still too young to know what happened.

“He knows Tania as his angel mommy. Her picture is in his room. His room is full of her pictures and them together”

The family wants to keep Suarez Noa away from Bailun as long as possible. With the first verdict, he almost could have qualified for parole already.

2nd degree murder means no chance of parole for 10-25 years. The jury was polled, 2 of them suggested he should get the minimum 10 years, 4 of them thought 15 years, and 6 of them had no opinion.

Family and Friends will read victim impact statements during a sentencing hearing on December 18th.