The 亚洲天堂 Lake man who killed three local residents nearly three years ago has been sentenced to life in prison.

Reuben Buhler, 54 at the time of the deaths, and who has been in custody since his arrest, received his sentence in Smithers Supreme Court Feb. 28.

He won鈥檛 be eligible for parole for 22 years.

Originally charged with the April 27, 2015 first degree murders of Ridge Vern Vienneau, Ehr Ola Andersen and Mitchell Wade, Buhler insteaded pleaded guilty last year to second degree murder, thus avoiding a trial.

鈥淚 sought 18-20 years parole ineligibility, the Crown sought 25, the judge imposed 22,鈥� said Buhler鈥檚 lawyer, Jordan Allingham from Vancouver.

鈥淭his was a well reasoned decision by an experienced Supreme Court judge who imposed a sentence comparable to similar offenders who have committed similar offences,鈥� he said.

Buhler became a person of interest to police after 亚洲天堂 Lake RCMP officers went to a residence in the 200 block of Fifth Ave. just before 8:30 a.m. on April 27, 2015 in response to reports of gun shots ringing out.

Upon entering the residence they found Vienneau, Andersen and Ruttan dead inside.

A long series of court appearances followed Buhler鈥檚 arrest and charging with the accused pleading guilty to second degree murder last May. Buhler鈥檚 guilty plea on the second degree murder charges was reached after negotiations with Crown Counsel lawyers.

鈥淚 won鈥檛 get into specifics of negotiations as not approprirate. I will say Mr. Buhler is remorseful for his actions and is relieved to have this matter resolved,鈥� said Allingham.

Buhler鈥檚 time already served in custody was not a factor in determining his parole ineligibility, Allingham noted.

鈥淭he time spent in custody will be considered by the parole board but is not a consideration for the sentencing judge in imposing this parole ineligibility period,鈥� he said.

In addition to life in prison, Buhler is under a lifetime mandatory ban from possessing firearms and was also required to submit a DNA sample.

He was to have been sentenced in December but bad weather prevented the plane carrying the Supreme Court justice from landing, leading to setting the sentencing for Feb. 28.