Mitchell Harkes sentenced to life without parole for 12 years in murder of Brett Wiese

Mitchell Harkes was sentenced to life in prison without the possibilityof parole for 12 yearson Tuesday, hours after family members of murder victim Brett Wiese gave emotional impact statements.

The Calgary courtroom was crowded earlier onTuesday as family members of Wiesespokein the sentencing hearing of the man convicted of murdering him.

• Brett Wiese family speaks after Mitchell Harkes found guilty of murder
• Jazlyn Radke sentenced to life for murder of Brett Wiese

A jury found Harkes guilty on Sunday of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of the university student at a house party in January 2013.

Harkes was in tears as several statements were read aloud from among the 29 that weresubmitted.

'My life as I know it was taken from me that day'

Brenda Wiese told the courtroom that her 20-year-old son was a kind, loving and gentle spirit who always had a smile on his face.

"I'm really having to learn how to live all over again," she said.

"I believe I will never move on, but I will move forward."

His father Jody Wiese said his son "had an incredible ability to relate to people young and old."

"My life as I know it was taken from me that day as well," he told the court.

'I cannot stand to look at myself in the mirror'

During the trial, court heard that Harkes stabbed Wiese multiple times to get revenge after his friend Jazlyn Radke and her twin sister were kicked out of the party earlier in the evening.

Radke, who brought a knife back to the party,was foundguilty of second-degree murderin May.She was 17 when she was charged, but was sentencedas an adult.

Harkes was also found guilty of six other charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault and breaking and entering.

Brett Zielke, Wiese'scollege roommateand friend who was also at the party, told court he still harbours feelings of guilt for not being able to save his friend's life.

"I cannot stand to look at myself in the mirror because I thought Ifailed to the highest degee," he told CBC News during a break in the hearing."People like Brett are once-in-a-lifetime friends."

Harkes makes tearful apolopoly

Just prior to sentencing,Harkes made a tearful apology to the courtroom.

"I would never intentionally kill someone," he said.

"I am sorry for your loss from the bottom of my heart, not because ofthe verdict but because of my heart."

He also apologized to the man he was convicted of attempting to kill.

"Colton Lewis.I'm sorry.I did not try to kill you.I wish you thebest of luck in your continued recovery."