'We're trying to heal': Lacey Jones McKnight's loved ones rally at murder appeal

More than four years after her daughter was murdered, Shelly Jones is still carrying out her self-assigned mission to secure "Justice for Lacey."

Today it means she's hoping the Alberta Court of Appeal will upholdKristopher Guenther's first-degree murder conviction.

"Justice for Lacey" became Jones' motto after her daughter Lacey Jones McKnight was murdered by her fiance, Kristopher Guenther, in 2012.

Purple stickers bearing the mantra can be found all over Calgary hundreds, if not thousands, of them cover lampposts, bumpers and buildings.

On Wednesday, Jones repeatedthe words again after she attended Kristopher Guenther's appeal.

"We're here to ensure that my daughter Lacey gets justice," said Jones.

Victim's hands, feet, mouth taped: Crown

Guenther's lawyer Kim Ross is trying to have his client's first-degree murder conviction reduced to second-degree murder.

JonesMcknight was strangled in October2012, after she and Guenthergot into a fight when she discovered he was cheating on her.

Guenther testified in his own defence at trial andadmitted to killing JonesMcKnight.

During the trial, courtheard evidence that Guenther told a friend he'd taped Jones McKnight's hands, feet and mouth and putting a plastic bag over her head.

Based on evidence of tape and rope found on her body and in his car, the original trial judge found JonesMcknightwas forcibly confined during the killing which elevated the crime to first-degree murder.

But Ross argued the tape and rope were previously used forconsensual sex, not during the killing.

"We're trying to heal and here we are again opening all those wounds," said Jones.

Crown prosecutor Dave Labrenz arguedthe high court should respect the trial judge's decision.

On Wednesday, Jones brought an entourage of supporters to court, filling up one side of the gallery.

"All of those horrific details, they're thrown back out and they're at the top of our mind," said Jones. "That's not how we want to remember Lacey."

"It's been four-and-a-half years; he's already been sentenced for first-degree and we're going to ensure that sticks."

The panel of judges at the Alberta Court of Appeal is expected to release its decision later this year.