Jimmy Rivas-Magana gets life sentence for wife's murder

On March 1, 2013, Jimmy Rivas-Magana married Yeny Alfaro.

On March 1, 2016, he was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years for murdering his wife.

When he handed down his sentence Tuesday, Justice John Gill said: "It cannot cure the unimaginable grief and harm to the victim's family and friends."

He called the killing "an extreme form of domestic violence," and said Rivas-Magana had abused a "relationship of trust."

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He admitted he stabbed Alfaro four times in the chest and once in the back after they got into a heated argument. Her body was found the next day with the blade of a steak knife still in her chest.

Gill said the killer fled the scene, "without any concern for the health and safety of his wife." Rivas-Magana tried to kill himself three times that weekend.  His lawyer, Jake Chadi, told the court the suicide attempts prove Rivas-Magana's remorse for this crime was "overwhelming."

One of the victim's friends disagreed. Marlie Anderson watched the killer in court and said she was taken by his lack of emotion in the prisoner's box.  

"He was just stone cold," Anderson said. "He didn't smile. Didn't even say anything. Nothing."

Rivas-Magana turned down the chance to address the court or offer an apology during the sentencing hearing.

Anderson said Alfaro made a huge impact on her life. She still has the victim's funeral bulletin sitting on her bookcase and looks at it often - always with the same thought.

"Yeny, I wish you were still here."

Crown prosecutor Stephanie Brown said the 26-year-old victim "had a big heart. She had a heart of gold and was very well-loved by friends and family."

Seventeen victim impact statements were heard by the court.

"It was clear from these statements that Ms. Alfaro was an exceptional young woman," Gill said. "Her death has caused tremendous pain and a sense of loss among friends."

Many of the victim's friends and family drew upon their religious faith and said they forgive Rivas-Magana for killing Alfaro.  

Rivas-Magana has no prior criminal record. He will get credit for the 325 days he has spent in custody since he was charged. He has been free on bail since June 2014. Now he's back behind bars.