ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been three years since Mary Jane LaffertySA国际影视传媒檚 son Elvis was stabbed to death. When a door opens, she still turns to see if heSA国际影视传媒檒l walk in.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檒l never be able to see my son again. Everyday I wish this never happened. Jealousy ... can kill,SA国际影视传媒� said Lafferty, reading from a victim impact statement presented during a sentencing hearing for convicted murderer Kevin Mantla Wednesday.

In the early hours of Sept. 28, 2015, after flying from from Gameti to Yellowknife, Mantla,39, entered his ex-partnerSA国际影视传媒檚 Lanky Court apartment. Inside, Mantla stabbed and killed Lafferty - his former partnerSA国际影视传媒檚 boyfriend. Mantla then turned the blade on his ex-partner, nearly severing her hand as she struggled to defend herself from what prosecutors called a SA国际影视传媒渂rutalSA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒渇ocusedSA国际影视传媒� assault. Mary Jane and ElvisSA国际影视传媒� father, Archie - along with MantlaSA国际影视传媒檚 young son and his former partner's daughters - were inside the apartment during the attack.

Mantla was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted murder in May. In Canada, second-degree murder convictions carry an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 10 years.

Crown prosecutor Jill Andrews called for a parole ineligibility period of 20 years - five years shy of the maximum sentence - during WednesdaySA国际影视传媒檚 hearing in NWT Supreme Court. The Crown is also seeking a DNA sample, a weapons ban, and a no contact order for Mantla and his former partner and her children.

SA国际影视传媒淣o sentence imposed can make up for the heartache this crime has caused,SA国际影视传媒� said Andrews, addressing Justice Louise Charbonneau.

Calling the 2015 stabbing the SA国际影视传媒渦ltimate form of domestic violence,SA国际影视传媒� Andrews said the 20-year recommendation appropriately reflects the SA国际影视传媒渟udden and senselessSA国际影视传媒� nature of the jealousy-fueled attack - and the enduring emotional and physical damage it caused.

Mantla, Andrews said, entered the Yellowknife apartment to carry out the SA国际影视传媒渧iciousSA国际影视传媒� stabbing at a time when his victims were sleeping - when they were vulnerable and defenceless.

Some of Mantla's ex partner's children watched the attack SA国际影视传媒渋n horror,SA国际影视传媒� she said. By committing the crime in front of children, Mantla demonstrated SA国际影视传媒渁lmost unimaginable callus.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒�(The attack) will be seared in their memory. It will shape who they become,SA国际影视传媒� she added.

Andrews said what led to the crime was Mantla's SA国际影视传媒渦ncontrollable jealousy and a desire to possess (his former partner and victim) at all costs."

A victim impact statement written by MantlaSA国际影视传媒檚 ex-partner was also read it court - one of eight in total.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e not the same people anymore. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e changed,SA国际影视传媒� she wrote, referring to the lasting impact the attack and murder of Lafferty had on her and her children.

The victim wrote she couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 remember being happy or enjoying life when she was with Mantla, who she called controlling and jealous. She walked on eggshells around him, the statement read, losing friends because of him and SA国际影视传媒渓osing sightSA国际影视传媒� of who she was.

In her statement, MantlaSA国际影视传媒檚 ex-partner weighs forgiving him, but wrote sheSA国际影视传媒檒l never forget what he did.

Elvis, she remembered, was SA国际影视传媒済ood and kind.SA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒淲e laughed, we smiled, we cried SA国际影视传媒� we had a special bond.SA国际影视传媒�

The victimSA国际影视传媒檚 written words prompted sobs from half a dozen family members sitting in court, who shared tissue boxes - and the occasional knowing smile - throughout the hearing.

Mantla, who sometimes jotted down notes on a piece of paper, sat still, his gaze averted from those who shared their statements between tears.

Mantla, his lawyer Tracy Bock told the court, maintains his innocence and has expressed an intent to appeal his conviction.

Mantla choose not to speak before the court.

Bock is asking Charbonneau to consider parole eligibility in 15 to 17 years. Bock said Mantla, who was raised by relatives in a SA国际影视传媒渓ovingSA国际影视传媒� and traditional home in Gameti, turned to drinking and drugs at a young age following a traumatic house fire - which he witnessed - that claimed the life of his mother.

Charbonneau is expected to make a sentencing decision on Nov. 8.