Attorneys in the Jack McCullough trial voiced their reactions to Friday’s guilty verdict.

McCullough, formerly known as John Tessier, was convicted of kidnapping and murdering Maria Ridulph. Ridulph disappeared on Dec. 3, 1957. The case was reopened after Janet Tessier, McCullough’s half-sister, sent a tip to police.

“When we began this prosecution, we had no idea how much this crime had impacted this community from 1957 to the present,” said Clay Campbell, DeKalb County state’s attorney. “It was humbling for me to finally provide answers to the Ridulph family concerning the tragic loss of Maria.”

Campbell attributed the verdict to the hard work of law enforcement professionals, prosecutors and private citizens, giving particular recognition to the two families who were most closely tied to the case.

“Without the support of the Ridulph and Tessier families, this prosecution would not have been possible,” Campbell said.

McCullough’s lawyer, Tom McCulloch, interim Kane County public defender, said he wishes the trial had gone differently but is looking to the future.

“I thought it was an unfortunate result,” McCulloch said.

McCullough will be sentenced on Nov. 30.