Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
July 11, 2016 - 4:14 PM
"IF ANYONE IS A DEMON IT IS CHRIS BUTLER."
KAMLOOPS - The man who pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the beating and strangling death of his girlfriend has been sentenced to life in prison, but a judge will now decide when he will be eligable for parole.
At Christopher Frank Butler's, 42, sentencing hearing today, July 11, in Kamloops Supreme Court Judge Keith Bracken heard arguments from both the Crown and defence lawyers, as well as a victim impact statement from the victim's father.
Bracken is expected to deliver his decision on parole eligibility by the end of the month.
Butler murdered his ex-partner Deanne Wheeler in 2014 by stabbing her several times with a knife, strangling her with a fan cord and a wire and beating her head with a rock. He claimed Wheeler was possessed by a demon and he needed to kill her in order to kill the demon. He appeared in court today wearing a cross around his neck.
Butler will receive a life sentence for second degree murder, but the judge must decide when he will be eligable for parole.
Crown prosecutor Alex Janse asked for a parole ineligibility of 12 to 14 years and defence is looking for 10 to 12 years.
Wheeler's father, Elwin, read a victim impact statement to the court saying his daughter should still be here today.
"Deanne should still be alive. If anyone is a demon it is Chris Butler," Elwin says. "He wanted her to die so maybe no one could have her. Well, we don't have her and neither does he."
Wheeler's family is hoping Butler will have to spend the maximum amount of time behind bars before he sees the light of day and they will be put at ease when the case finally comes to a close.
"It's been very stressful," he says.
Find past stories on this case here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ashley Legassic or call 250-319-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016