The Burns 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’t 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.
“I sought 18-20 years parole ineligibility, the Crown sought 25, the judge imposed 22,” said Buhler’s lawyer, Jordan Allingham from Vancouver.
“This was a well reasoned decision by an experienced Supreme Court judge who imposed a sentence comparable to similar offenders who have committed similar offences,” he said.
Buhler became a person of interest to police after Burns 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’s arrest and charging with the accused pleading guilty to second degree murder last May. Buhler’s guilty plea on the second degree murder charges was reached after negotiations with Crown Counsel lawyers.
“I won’t 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,” said Allingham.
Buhler’s time already served in custody was not a factor in determining his parole ineligibility, Allingham noted.
“The 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,” 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.
