FILE PHOTO - Cody Foster's older sisters Nikki and Dana stand with Crown prosecutors Alex Janse and Camille Cook outside the Kamloops courthouse on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - A 59-year-old Kamloops man who beat and stabbed his former friend and work colleague to death in February 2017 will find out his parole eligibility by the end of this week.

Last winter, a 12-member jury found Stephen George Fraser guilty of stabbing and beating 26-year-old Cody Foster to death in his own trailer at the Kamloops RV Park in Dallas.

Fraser was convicted of second-degree murder in December 2018, which comes with a mandatory life sentence. 

Crown prosecutors and defence lawyers met today, May 13, to enter their submissions for Fraser's parole eligibility.

Crown prosecutor Alex Janse argued the nature of Fraser's offence carried several aggravating features including the extent of Foster's injuries. Prosecutors say a parole period within 14 to 15 years would be suitable for Fraser. While defence lawyer, Jay Michi, argued his client should be able to seek parole within ten to 12 years.

A pathologist at Royal Inland Hospital who performed the autopsy revealed Foster suffered from 17 stab wounds from a sharp-edged instrument and 11 lacerations caused by blunt force trauma. The knife Fraser used to kill Foster was broken into six pieces, some of which were still protruding from Foster's neck and had to be removed during the autopsy.

During the trial, several witnesses testified including the occupants of a nearby trailer who were celebrating a birthday and an anniversary.

Fraser spoke quietly today in a Kamloops Supreme courtroom when he was asked if he had anything to say.

"I am deeply sorry for my actions," Fraser said. "If I could trade places with him I would in a heartbeat."

Fraser has remained in custody since the offence took place on Feb. 11, 2017 and has not sought bail, according to his lawyer.

Supreme Court Justice Len Marchand is scheduled to deliver his sentencing decision on May 17.

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