The families and friends of the victims and members of law enforcement have filled the courtroom for nearly two weeks to listen to the emotional trial against Kelvin Vickers.

The Boston man is accused of killing Rochester Police Department Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, Richard Collinge and MyJel Rand. 

Richard Collinge’s mother, Nikki Siplin, says it’s been an out-of-body experience. 

“It’s been horrible,” she said. “Nothing but God got me through that and [kept me sane mentally] because it was heartbreaking. Very heartbreaking what happened to my child.” 

She hasn’t had a chance to fully grasp everything that’s happened. 

“How could a person do that to someone? And someone you don’t even know, at that?” Siplin asked.

Collinge was killed the evening before Officer Mazurkiewicz in 2022. Siplin hasn’t had many family members in court with her every day, so she’s learned to lean on a new friend — Lynn Mazurkiewicz. 

“Lynn’s family has been making it very easy for me. They’ve been very supportive. They’ve been very open about — it’s not just about, you know, Mr Mazurkiewicz. It’s about my son as well. And they were basically surveilling what happened to my son. The reason they ended up being ambushed or whatever. So, I mean, I feel really good because they’ve been very supportive of me,” she explained. “We talk every night. She messages me. I message her. We call each other. And we have a great relationship. You know, it’s unfortunately how it was brought about, but we’re bonded now.”

Siplin’s relationship with Mazurkiewicz has expanded her family. 

“Law enforcement has been very supportive as well, just encouraging me day by day when I see them," she said. "Hang in there, you know, keep your head up. Be strong. That’s all I can really do right now. And this is just the beginning. I still have more to come."