Taylor Van Diest's killer sentenced to life with no parole for 17 years

The man who killed Armstrong, B.C., teen Taylor Van Diest in 2011 has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years.

Matthew Foerster, 32, strangled and bludgeoned the 18-year-old on Halloween and left her for dead in some bushes.

A second-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence.

On Tuesday, a judge ruled that Foerster will have to serve 17 years before he is eligible for parole, as recommended by both the Crown and defence.

However, he may apply for a reduction in eligibility after serving 15 years.

Apology rejected by mother

Outside the courtroom, Van Diest's mother Marie questioned Foerster's parole eligibility after serving 17 years.

"That is not very long for taking a life, particularly as brutally as he took Taylor's life," said Marie Van Diest. "I don't think he feels remorse."

"In his letter of apology not once did he mention Taylor's name, and in my eyes I see that as him still not accepting responsibility," she said.

But Crown prosecutor Christopher McPherson said it is extremely rare for someone convicted of second-degree murder to have a parole ineligibility of more that 20 years, unless they are convicted of multiple deaths.

At his first trial, Foerster was convicted of first-degree murder, but on appeal he was granted a new trial and then pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

McPherson said the guilty plea and joint submission for sentencing means there will be no chance of another appeal.

With files from Brady Strachan