The family of Craig Kelloway, the 32-year-old Calgary man who was fatally stabbed 37 times by his neighbour Nicholas Rasberry, says they are upset and angry with a justice system that let them down.

On Friday, Nicholas Rasberry received a seven year sentence for manslaughter, minus time served, in connection with Kelloway’s death in May of 2013.

Monica Kelloway of Cape Breton Island says she’s struggling to come to terms with the fact that she’ll never see her son again.

“Not a day goes by that I don't cry.”

According to Monica Kelloway, the sentence her son’s killer received is appalling.

“It's a slap in the face to victims,” said Monica Kelloway in an interview with CTV Atlantic. “It's more for the criminals than anything else. They have the rights. How can my son have a right? He can't talk and (Rasberry) made sure of it.”

Rasberry used three different knives in his stabbing attack on Kelloway, an attack the killer said was an act of self defence following an alleged sexual assault and threats Kelloway would rape Rasberry’s wife.

In Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, those who knew Craig Kelloway struggle to believe Rasberry’s story.

 “I said ‘How did this happen? Who would do it?” said Marguerite Verbeski, one of Craig Kelloway’s former teachers. “He wouldn't even fight. When he played hockey he wouldn't fight.”

“I just can't believe what this man is saying, what he's saying about Craig. It's all lies. All lies.”

Rasberry was originally charged with second degree murder but that was later reduced to manslaughter.

The Crown is appealing the verdict.

“The trial was a farce,” said Monica Kelloway. “It was like it was all done beforehand. They didn't even put the lead investigator on. They didn't have a character witness for Craig.”

“How can you go to trail and not have all this information?”

Monica Kelloway says the family will not stop fighting until Craig’s killer is brought to justice.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore