Guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, Joshua Frank and Jason Klaus learned their fate at their sentencing hearing at the Court of the Queen’s Bench in Red Deer Wednesday: life in prison, with parole ineligibility set at 25 years, to be served concurrently.

Today marks the end of a journey that started back on December 8th of 2013, when Gordon, Sandra, and Monica Klaus were shot to death and had their farmhouse set on fire with their bodies still inside. Frank pulled the trigger and started the fire under Jason Klaus’s orders.

Monica's dog Patches also died in the fire, and Gordon and Sandra' dog Keely was shot and killed outside. It would be Keely's body that would tip off investigators that this was a murder investigation, not an accidental fire.

Klaus's defence lawyer Allan Fay says Justice Eric Macklin's decision doesn't guarantee release for either offender.

“One important take-away from this decision is that, no one should walk away from this thinking that at 25 years, my client will walk out of jail. That will be up to the parole board and as Justice Macklin pointed out, there are very few multiple murderers in the Canadians jails who obtain parole at 25 years or very soon thereafter.”

The crown sought consecutive parole ineligibility for each murder conviction, which would have required them to serve at least 75 years before being eligible for parole.

In his decision, Justice Macklin stated that this case lacked a few aggravating factors that other multiple murderers in Canada had which caused the sentences to run consecutively, like in the case of Douglas Garland who also was found guilty on three counts of first degree murder in the deaths of a 5-year-old boy and his grandparents in 2014.

Justice Macklin said the Garland ruling of 75 years before the chance of parole was largely symbolic giving the gravity of the case, as Garland will be 79 years olds after 25 years served.

He was also critical of the section of the Criminal Code that calls for consecutive parole ineligibility periods for multiple murder convictions, saying he believed a sentence of 50 to 75 years would not provide greater individual deterrence in this case, nor would additional life sentences added on deter anyone in the community from committing more than one murder.

Crown prosecutor Douglas Taylor reiterated Fay’s point, saying Justice Macklin's rule doesn't mean they will get a shot at freedom in 25 years, when Klaus is 67, and Frank is 57.

“I think the judge covered that in his decision, and they of course will have to face the parole board and as we all know, that just because they can apply at 25 years doesn’t mean they will get parole at 25 years, or ever for that matter.”

Justice Macklin said that neither man had criminal records prior to this, although admitting they did lead anti-social lives before the murders. Both men involved in drugs, with Klaus dealing cocaine as well as illegal guns, along with forging checks from his family farm.  

He also emphasized the importance of allowing the parole boards to do their job, using the time served as an indicator if the offenders are rehabilitated or not. He said 75 years would mean a death sentence for both men, and would likely remove any motivation for them to improve themselves or even behave while incarcerated.

Outside of the courthouse, sister of Gordon Klaus Marilyn Thomson's voice broke with emotion as she briefly spoke to the media, thanking everyone who helped get them to this day, and spoke about what this means for their family.

“Although this does not bring Monica and Sandy and Gordon back, we are very grateful that justice has been served, and we now have the opportunity to move forward with our lives.”

The defence lawyers didn't say whether or not they will seek an appeal, saying they will review all the court transcripts before making their decision.