Legal experts say if the two youths accused of killing 18-year-old Kimberly Proctor and burning her remains are found guilty, they will likely face adult sentences.
Because the suspects were under 18 at the time of Proctor's murder, their names cannot be revealed by law and they will both be tried at youths -- but legal expert Stephen Hart says the brutality of the alleged crimes could mean they will be sentenced as adults if found guilty.
"There is no offense that's more serious than homicide, and there is no circumstances worse than the kind of circumstances in this crime," he said.
"If they're found guilty, it's inconceivable the Crown would not ask the judge to consider sentencing as an adult."
Proctor's charred body was found near a bridge on the Galloping Goose Trail in Colwood, B.C., in March. RCMP investigators arrested two suspects, aged 16 and 18, on Friday, and both were charged with first-degree murder, forcible confinement, sexual assault and indignity to human remains on Saturday.
An adult sentence for the teens would mean a minimum jail term of 10 years without parole to 25 years without parole. Speaking on the phone from his Vancouver Island home, Proctor's father Fred said he doubted even an adult sentence could ease his pain.
"Twenty-five years? I don't even know if I'll be satisfied by that," he said.
Mounties announced the arrests on Saturday, exactly three months after Proctor's body was discovered.
"Crimes such as these thankfully do not happen very often, but when they do they have a devastating effect on the community," RCMP Insp. Mark Fisher told reporters.
"It is my hope that the young women in the community, their parents and the citizens who use the Galloping Goose trail can now rest easy."
Both suspects will remain in custody until they appear in court Monday morning.
Despite the arrests, police are still asking anyone with information about Proctor's death to call Westshore RCMP at 250-474-2264.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jon Woodward
