A man described by a judge as “a cold, violent, ruthless killer” has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 16 years.
Joshua Andrew Burwell, 22, almost got away with murder after a 2015 death in Saskatoon was originally ruled a suicide by hanging.
He had originally attempted to cover up the murder of Bradley Adam Buffalo as a suicide before confessing to the killing earlier this year.
“Initially the accused did give some comments in relation to a motive and then the day before sentencing, his lawyers contacted the Crown and indicated that the motive was a lie and that it was a senseless killing and there was no reason for it,” senior Crown prosecutor Rochelle Wempe said.
Court heard how Bruwell and an accomplice killed Buffalo, 30, for no apparent reason.
In handing down the sentence on Monday, Judge Richard Danyliuk of the Court of Queen’s Bench said Bruwell was “an unrepentant liar, prepared to engage in multiple deceits to avoid the personal consequences of his behaviour.”
“He lacks anything resembling remorse or empathy.”
The accomplice later took his own life.
Burwell was also sentenced to a total of six years and four months, to be served concurrently to his life sentence, for being unlawfully in a dwelling, possession of a prohibited firearm, and armed robbery.
He has asked to serve his time at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert so he can be closer to family and friends.