Sentencing hearing starts today in Armstrong murder case

VERNON, B.C. — A sentencing hearing is expected to begin today in a Vernon courtroom for Matthew Foerster.

He pleaded guilty in March to the second-degree murder of 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest in Armstrong on Halloween night, 2011.

The 32-year-old Foerster was originally convicted of first-degree murder in 2014, but appealed successfully, arguing the trial judge made several errors.

The sentencing hearing is expected to wrap up later this week.