B.C. men sentenced to life for triple murder

Two B.C. men have been sentenced to three consecutive life prison terms with no chance of parole for killing three people in Washington state 10 years ago.

Sebastian Burns and Atif Rafay were convicted by a jury in Seattle earlier this year on three counts of aggravated first-degree murder.

They were charged in the beating deaths of Rafay's parents and sister at the family's home in Bellevue, Wash.

The men's sentencing Friday in King County Superior Court was delayed because Burns spoke for more than two hours. He complained to the court that he had been denied a fair trial.

Judge Charles Mertel called Burns arrogant and amoral and said he lacked remorse.

"It's chilling, your recitation of what you feel has occurred over these many years. It's chilling in the lack of remorse that you show for the tragedy that this crime represents."

Rafay spoke 15 minutes about the anguish he felt from the loss of his parents and sister.

He said he had some confidence that "this won't be the last court to pronounce on this matter, and that the truth of our innocence will eventually prevail."

The two men had been prepared to ask for a new trial on grounds that their lawyers were ineffective, but Mertel denied the motion.

After the murders, Burns and Rafay returned to B.C. They were extradited to face the charges only after Washington state prosecutors promised not to seek the death penalty.

The Burns family say both men are planning an appeal.