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John Daley reporting‘A knife through the heart’ - That's how one family member describes the pain they've suffered. But they say they're relieved Mark Hacking finally admitted what they believed since the early days of this case.
Lori Hacking's family expressed two emotions today. Relief that Mark Hacking had finally admitted in court that he killed his wife, and disbelief, that this whole story ever happened.
Lori Hacking's family arrived at court for a moment that had been expected for sometime. For months, the case appeared to be moving toward this change of plea.
Still, the emotions were intense, as Lori Hacking's mother Thelma noted, remembering back to when they adopted their daughter.
Thelma Soares, Lori Hacking's Mother: "On the 22nd, it'll 28 years after we got Lori, April 22nd, I never in my wildest nightmares thought I would listen to her husband stand and say that he intentionally shot her as he said he did today."
Eduardo Soares, Lori Hacking's Father : "I don't feel sorry for him because number one for what he pleaded today. When he said he was guilty that was just like a knife going right through my heart. You know I could not imagine he could do that to Lori. I think now he has to live with that."
Paul Soares, Lori Hacking's Brother: "Like my mom said, there's so many questions we can't answer. I still don't understand. I don't know why this happened. No it makes no more sense today than it didn't July 19th."
Thelma Soares, Lori Hacking's Mother: "Yes it was a great relief. I have been in contact with the Hacking family through this whole thing. They have encouraged Mark to do the right thing. We have all hoped very much he would do the right thing."
The family thanked Salt Lake City police and prosecutors, saying they have great faith in our legal system.
They say they'll be here when the sentencing happens June 6th.
