The man accused of murdering 37-year-old Kathy Lynn Reid has entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of second degree murder instead of facing a judge on a first degree murder charge.
On Thursday afternoon, James Edward Kruse pleaded guilty in connection with the September 2014 strangulation death of Reid.
"There's no excuse for what I've done and I take full responsibility," said Kruse as he addressed the court.
Justice Bruce Millar sentenced Kruse to life in prison with no chance of parole for 13 years.
In the early hours of September 3, 2014, police were called to the intersection of 17 Avenue and 84 Street Southeast after the driver of a truck reported his passenger had died. The driver indicated to police that he and his passenger had been taking drugs when the woman overdosed.
An autopsy revealed Reid had died of asphyxiation consistent with strangulation.
According to police, Reid and Kruse knew each other and had spent several hours together prior to an argument that resulted in Reid’s death.
With files from CTV's Ina Sidhu
