The parents of a Barrie man who suffered a devastating brain injury during a 2012 assault expressed gratitude to the jury that returned a guilty verdict.
"It's more than relief," said an emotional Kerry Turcotte, mother of victim Ryan Turcotte.
"He's never gonna be the same," she said of her son who chose not to attend court for the verdict.
After deliberating for just over three hours, jurors convicted Courtney Lewis, 26, and his cousin Aaron Lewis, 23, of aggravated assault.
Court heard that Turcotte, 31, was attacked in June 2012 at the Duckworth Plaza after stepping off a bus from the Kee to Bala.
The incident was captured on a cell phone camera and was played several times in court.
The video showed Turcotte being surrounded by four men, punched and kicked then launched to the ground, slamming his head on the pavement.
Through tears outside the courthouse, Kerry and Rick Turcotte spoke of the long road ahead for their son who faces rehab and reconstructive surgeries.
"It's a sad day for their families. It's a sad day for our families, after all they're all young lives," said Kerry.
Turcotte's father Rick said all they can hope for now is justice at the sentencing.
"I hope theres a good deterrent out there for people to realize that they've gotta respect life, a little bit more than just going out and beating the crap out of people just for the fun of it," he said, breaking down.
The jury rejected the defense claims that Aaron Lewis was not involved in the fight at all and that Courtney Lewis was acting in self defence.
Both men and their lawyers had no comment on the verdict as they left the courthouse.
A date for sentencing will be set on November 16.
The Turcotte's said they were going home to give Ryan "a big love hug."
The family has launched a civil suit against the Lewis cousins.
