Hoffman told Barbara Cabala that her mother loved her 鈥渦nconditionally. Your mother is no different than any other mother. As mothers, all we want to do is to guide our children in the proper direction and help them no matter what age they are.鈥
鈥淲hatever the outcome is, there is still no justice. Justice would be Ella still alive and enjoying retirement. All she ever wanted was to get help for you.鈥
Another neighbour, Gail Johnson, said she 鈥渓ost a compassionate friendship and a good neighbor.鈥
She has flashbacks to what happened every time she looks out her back window.
鈥淚鈥檓 haunted by the relentless thought that if I had left my house when I heard the lawn furniture, chairs and voices, that I may have intervened to save Ella鈥檚 life, of feeling guilty that I decided to hunt for rain boots and a rain coat before actually going out to investigate the sound of noise . . . I live with the guilt of not acting sooner.鈥
Johnson said she is shocked to think that a daughter could kill her mother.
The sentencing hearing, where the Crown and the defence are expected to make submissions, is scheduled for Oct. 17.