SAINT-JEROME, Que. — A Quebec man found guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his two children will have to spend 17 years behind bars before becoming eligible to seek parole.
Guy Turcotte was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury in December in the 2009 stabbing deaths of his two children, Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3.
Quebec Superior Court Justice Andre Vincent ruled Friday that Turcotte must serve at least 17 years before being allowed to apply for release.
The conviction carries an automatic life sentence but the court had some latitude on setting parole eligibility.
The minimum time to be served before being able to apply for parole is 10 years, while the maximum is 25 years.
Vincent said the period of time reflects the "heinous and horrible crimes" that were committed.
The former cardiologist kept his head low as Vincent handed down his decision.
Prosecutors had asked that Turcotte serve at least 20 years before being allowed to apply for parole while the defence had suggested between 10 and 15 years.
Last December's verdict came at the end of a second trial ordered by the Quebec Court of Appeal in 2013, overturning a not criminally responsible verdict in 2011.
Turcotte, 43, could get credit for 44 months served in detention following his 2009 arrest and after his first trial held in 2011.
He spent 27 months in custody awaiting his trial and another 17 months at a Montreal psychiatric hospital after the first verdict.
The decision will be made by the National Parole Board sometime down the road.
Turcotte's lawyers have appealed the recent verdict and are seeking a third trial.
He could also appeal the sentence.
