Offering a tearful apology for his role in the deaths of his parents and sister, convicted triple murderer Jason Klaus had a chance to address the courtroom at his sentencing hearing on Monday. (Jan. 22nd) 

Both he and Joshua Frank were found guilty for their roles in the murders of Gordon, Sandra, and Monica Klaus, and are both looking at the possibility of life in prison without the chance of parole for 75 years, the maximum sentence for all three counts consecutively.

He read the same note in court that he read at their memorial service back in May of 2015.

Klaus's voice broke as he talked about how is family were his best friends, his heroes, and his life.

He finished his note by saying, quote:  “I did not kill my family, the little involvement I did have in it, I’ll live with the rest of my life.”

Joshua Frank also issued a short statement, apologizing to the Klaus family for their loss, and thanking his own family who turned up in court to support him.

Justice Eric Macklin questioned whether three periods of consecutive parole ineligibility for the two killers was necessary, considering their freedom could be left in the hands of the Parole Board of Canada.

The Crown argued that there are several mitigating factors involved in this case which prove that both men should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Those factors include the violation of trust between Klaus and his family, the violation of the sanctity and security of one’s home, the use of a restricted firearm, setting the house on fire in attempt to destroy evidence, and the fact they spent days or even weeks planning the attack.

If they both only receive 25 years, Klaus, 42, would be at least 67 before he is eligible for parole.

Frank, 32, would have more of a chance at redemption and to show he can still be a productive member of society, argued his lawyer Andrea Urquhart. She painted Frank as having a troubled past, where he battled addiction and spent time at the Ponoka Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury to deal with depression.

Sentencing was held over until February 14th, so Justice Eric Macklin could weigh his decision.

 

Earlier story:

Klaus and Frank: Guilty of Three County of First-Degree Murder