05:57 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Compiled by kgw.com Staff

Comments from victims' family members, attorneys and the judge in the Ward Weaver murder case as delivered in court or made immediately following Weaver's plea and sentencing hearing:

KGW Lori Pond (left) speaks following Ward Weaver's guilty plea to killing her daughter.

"The crimes, your conduct throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case tortured not only the family and friends of your victims but everyone in Clackamas County and the state of Oregon....When I listen and look at the magnitude of what you've done, I see nothing but evil, Mr. Weaver...I think everyone probably shares and hopes that there is a special place in hell for people like you.”

--Judge Robert Herndon, before imposing life sentence without parole

"Today is a bittersweet day. I keep in mind that it's not just my family that's going through this. It's a lot of people. I know that I have the memory of my daughter for the rest of my life and that can never be taken away."

"Part of my life died with her. I ask you why did you have to kill her?"

"I just know that I'm going to continue on, and I know that I'll have to do that without my daughter."

"Ashley would not have wanted her sisters to hear comments from her classmates, or go through the trauma a trial would have caused them. Ashley would have felt the same way about Miranda's family. We know Ashley would want to spare Mallori Weaver from any more pain in her life. Being in prison for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole does this."

--Lori Pond, mother of murder victim Ashley Pond

"As I stand here this morning looking at your face, I am full of emotions: Pain, sorrow, grief, sadness, anger, confusion, shock, a lack of understanding are just some of the main feelings I have for Ward Weaver and his disgusting behavior."

"I need some answers, and I'm hoping today you can provide me with some. First and foremost, is why did you kill my daugher Miranda? Why did you kill Ashley? What did they do, Ward, that was so bad you felt the need to take these young, innocent lives? I would have never thought in a million years, Ward, you can do something so evil and demented."

"I ask you today Ward, did she suffer? What were her last words?"

"Let me tell you, Ward, you will burn in hell."

-- Michelle Duffy, mother of murder victim Miranda Gaddis

"I ask you Mr. Weaver, who will mourn your death? When you die, and you will, where will you spend your eternal life?"

--Jason Gaddis, 12, brother of murder victim Miranda Gaddis

"I will never get to see my sweet young sister grow into her full potential. I don't understand why Mr. Weaver had to make it drag out so long. I thank God for letting Miranda be with me for the time she was here."

--Maryssa Gaddis, sister of Miranda Gaddis

"It's very satisfying but it's too hard ...I couldn't stay in there. I'm just going to go home and be with my children. I'm just glad they're OK."

-- Kristi Sloan, Weaver's ex-wife

“He certainly qualifies for the death penalty. What he did was terrible. It will scar the community for a long time. But we believe this is the right thing to do…This brings finality and certainty and ends the case in a way that will protect the community.”

--Clackamas County District Attorney John Foote

“Death penalty cases in Oregon take too long to finish. It’s not fair to victims, and it’s not fair to this community for all of us to wait years and years and years for cases to be tried and appealed. Something has to be done about this.”

--Clackamas County District Attorney John Foote