The sentencing hearing for Reuben Buhler, the 亚洲天堂 Lake resident who pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder, has been postponed.
The hearing was scheduled to take place in Smithers Supreme Court on Dec. 7-8.
鈥漈he hearing had to be postponed due to a late breaking court related matter,鈥� explained Dan McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the B.C. Prosecution Service.
The new date is expected to be set on Dec. 12, 2017.
Wayne Ruttan, brother of one of the victims, expressed his frustration over the delay.
鈥淪how us some real justice instead of delay, delay and more delay,鈥� he told Lakes District 亚洲天堂. 鈥淢itchel Wade Ruttan my brother was 48 years when he was murdered; he left behind his wife and his three sons.鈥�
鈥淩euben made a choice and it has brutally ripped apart the lives of many,鈥� he added.
Although Buhler will automatically be sentenced to life in prison for pleading guilty, he still has to attend a sentencing hearing to determine how soon he can be eligible for parole.
According to the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General, in the case of second-degree murder, the amount of time that must pass before the offender is eligible for parole is between 10 and 25 years. It will be up to the parole board to determine his eligibility.
Buhler had originally been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, which is deliberate and planned. He later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, which is deliberate but carried out without planning.
鈥淲e obtained an agreement from the Crown that the first-degree murder charges would be dropped by Mr. Buhler pleading guilty to second-degree murder,鈥� explained Buhler鈥檚 lawyer Jordan Allingham earlier this year. 鈥淏y doing so he has accepted responsibility for his actions.鈥�
Since Buhler has pleaded guilty, there will be no trial.
Allingham said his client pleaded guilty 鈥渙ut of remorse,鈥� and that he did not want the victims鈥� families to have to go though a trial.
鈥淲e will advance the position at sentencing that because these pleas were entered prior to trial, and Mr. Buhler鈥檚 genuine remorse, that a 15 to 20 year parole ineligibility period will be appropriate in this case.鈥� said Allingham.
Earlier this year, Allana Watson, sister-in-law of one of the victims, said she doesn鈥檛 believe Buhler could ever have the amount of remorse applicable for his actions.
鈥淚f he felt remorse, he would plead guilty to first-degree murder on at least two of his victims,鈥� she said.
On April 27, 2015, at 8:25 a.m., the 亚洲天堂 Lake RCMP attended a residence in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue in 亚洲天堂 Lake after receiving a report of potential foul play. Neighbours said they heard gun shots ring out earlier that morning. When officers entered the residence, they found three people 鈥� Ridge Vern Vienneau, Ehr Ola Andersen and Mitchel Wade Ruttan 鈥� dead inside.
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