SPOKANE, Wash. -- It was an emotional day in court as four men involved in the murder of Spokane businessman Doug Carlile sat before a judge.
The Carlile family was in the courtroom Friday as they have waited several years for closure and justice. But, this still is not the end.
Doug Carlile's wife Elberta Carlile addressed the men responsible for the murder of her husband. In court she said, "There are no words that can describe the magnitude of my loss."
Tears were shed on both sides as the four men appeared in federal court. But before sentences were handed down, Carlile took the stand to face the men she says took everything from her. Elberta started by saying, "I would just like to thank the court and the prosecutors and all those involved that have put so many hours in this."
After thanking the prosecutors for finding justice for her husband, she turned to Timothy Suckow, Lazara Pesina, Robby Wahrer, and Robert Delao to show them just how much pain they have caused her family. She said, "Is there one of you that can bring back my husband? Look me in the face, is there one of you that can bring back my husband? There are no words that can describe the magnitude of my loss. You took what time I had left with my husband away from me, away from my children, away from my grandchildren. You stole it from us."
Through tears, Elberta described what it's been like to lose the love of her life. But she also talked about forgiveness and said, "To really live we must forgive. I choose to forgive you for what you've done."
Elberta and Doug Carlile's oldest daughter MeLainee McLaine spoke after Elberta describing what it was like to lose her father. She said, "You took my dad, but you took my mom for a while too."
In a letter to the court, Elberta said she was unable to come out of her room for two months after her husband’s murder. The final member of the Carlile member to speak was Carlile's granddaughter, who spoke directly to Suckow saying she forgives him.
Timothy Suckow was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of Doug Carlile and North Dakota man KC Clarke. James Henrikson is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday.
