"(Pfeil Jr.) was one of the most gentle souls that ever graced this earth," Mudd said, the same sentiment she expressed to reporters in Ladysmith after the verdict was returned.

Listening to people talk about her brother and how he was killed was difficult, Mudd said.

"I cried the entire time," she said. "It was so hard. … It was so hard to sit through, especially after so much time."

Part of what she heard was John Rogers' taped confession to the murder, and Dale Rogers' testimony about it.

John Rogers tried to claim that he shot Pfeil Jr. in self defense, after Pfeil Jr. reportedly made threats against Rogers' family following the slaying of Pfeil Jr.'s dogs by law enforcement officers.

"When we got the verdict I called Roger and wanted him and Dad to know," Mudd said. "It's so bittersweet. Nothing's going to bring Rob back."

Mudd said family members had so many disappointments with the case over the years, that they weren't expecting much.

Barnard was charged with the crime, and lying to a grand jury, but charges were dismissed after John Rogers refused to testify, Mudd and Roger Pfeil said. Mike Rogers was granted immunity in exchange for his cooperation with authorities.