Brenda Lafferty's parents, Jim and LaRae Wright, expressed frustration at Monday's ruling.
"I think a new trial is just a waste of the Utah taxpayers' money," LaRae Wright said from her home in Kimberly, Idaho."There is no doubt" Ron Lafferty murdered her daughter, she said.
Jim Wright said three words describe his response to the ruling: disappointment, anger and disgust.
"I think this will revictimize the victims again. There will be more pain, suffering, anguish and concern," he said. "It will be traumatic on my family. But I don't expect it to be devastating."
Much of what the Wrights learned in the first trial stunned them, LaRae Wright said. "We just didn't have any idea the Lafferty family situation was that bad. It was a real shock to find out some of those things."
But the Wrights expect no new surprises from a second trial.
The years since Brenda's death have been peaceful ones for the Idaho family.
"We're doing great," LaRae Wright said. "I think it's because of our religious beliefs. We know that Brenda's all right and Erica is fine. We needed to get on with our lives and we've done that."
A second trial for Lafferty won't halt that healing, she said.
The Wrights lost touch with Brenda's husband, Allen, four years ago, LaRae Wright said.
"He's remarried," she said, but she doesn't know where her former son-in-law lives.
The Wrights aren't alone in their frustration, however. One of Ron Lafferty's brothers called the situation a "nightmare."
"I'm disappointed the system can't deal with people who are obviously lawbreakers," said Mark C. Lafferty, a chiropractor in Santaquin. Mark Lafferty said he has no contact with his brother, Ron.
The murders destroyed the Lafferty family, he said.
"The whole thing is unfortunate. It used to be a wonderful family," said Mark Lafferty. "We used to have a lot of enjoyable times, happy times. This thing has destroyed a lot of relationships.
"I wish there were a way to back up and start over again," Mark Lafferty said. "They are still my brothers, I have feelings for them. I wish I could help him."