Despite the desire for true justice, the Tousignant family recognized that going to trial wasn’t a viable option for such a dated case, especially since “a paucity of evidence, a paucity of facts.”
“At least now he is going to be sentenced. It’s better than nothing. At least she has some closure and we have some closure,” said Carolyn Tousignant in court. Due to the reduced charges, the judge was only able to sentence Ferreira to a maximum of 7 years in prison for his crimes.

“The enduring tragedy is that the whole truth may never be known,” Assistant District Attorney Karl Hayes said. “It’s one of those bitter pills life gives us sometimes.” He’s likely referring to the inconsistency in the report of the sexual assault and the confusing evidence that the medical examiner came up with. The evidence suggested that the neck injury that Jopek sustained was likely the result of being struck from behind with a heavy object rather than falling down the stairs.