By Courtney Mintenko

Murder suspect in Kelly Goforth killing appears in court

Jan 2, 2014 | 11:00 AM

Maxine Goforth sat forward in her chair, looking at the man accused of killing her 21-year-old daughter as he made his first court appearance Thursday morning.

Clayton Eichler was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kelly Goforth. The young woman's body was found in an alley on McAra street in the evening of Sept. 25, 2013. Eichler was arrested on Dec. 31.

Maxine wasn't the only person in court as Eichler made his first appearance. Kelly's sister, Shayleen, other family members, Chief Mike Koochicum of the Peepeekisis First Nation, and fourth vice-chief Simon Bird of the FSIN were also in the gallery.

Eichler's case was quickly put over until Jan. 9. As he left the prisoner's box, Maxine and her family left the court room as well. Maxine broke out in tears in the arms of her daughter in the hallway outside.

“I wanted to see the man responsible. I wanted to see his face,” Maxine told reporters outside the court house afterwards, “to see if he looked at me. He didn't. But I don't wish harm on him or his family. He has a mom, I'm sure; he has family. I don't wish harm on anybody. My baby girl wouldn't want that either.”

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Maxine went on to say that she taught Kelly to forgive others, something she hopes to be able to do that herself of her daughter's alleged killer. She hasn't been able to yet.

Christmas marked exactly three months since Kelly's body was found. Without anyone charged in Kelly's death at that point, Maxine said it was a difficult day.

“We didn't even have Christmas because my baby wasn't here with us. She was my pillar, she was my strength, the one I would turn to in times like this … now I can go to my baby's grave and tell her she can rest now.”

Relief came after the Regina Police Service made the arrest New Year's Eve.

“What a good way to end 2013, to begin the new year with my grandson. May justice be done for his mommy.”

Maxine took a moment to thank the police for the work done on Kelly's case, saying it's now up to the courts to ensure justice is done.

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