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Barnes also asked that a report dealing with Doolan’s Aboriginal background be prepared for the sentencing hearing. The judge ordered that the reports be prepared.

Burns McLellan, the victim’s father, and several other family members were in court Wednesday to witness the guilty plea.

“It was important for us to know that we were here at that moment, I guess, that she pleaded guilty,” the dad said outside court.

“This was a very big step for us because we really just haven’t been able to — it just brings everything back.”

The dad said that it had been a “particularly” difficult time dealing with the death of his daughter.

“It’s been virtually impossible for us to understand it. So we’ve been doing our best to stay together.”

McLellan said he also wished to show respect for what Crown counsel had done in the case and to other people who had offered the family help, including friends who attended the preliminary hearing.

“All of the friends who gave up time to be at (the preliminary hearing), I can only thank them for everything they did.”

He said that he and his family intended to be back in court for the sentencing, which is expected to take place sometime in the fall.

Full details of the circumstances surrounding the offence are expected to be outlined during the sentencing hearing, which is set to be heard before Judge Howard.

At the time of the slaying, Vancouver police said the senseless death had resulted from a “minor” altercation between the strangers inside the Granville Street club.