The man who pleaded guilty to second degree murder charges in the 2003 killing of 27-year-old Ardeth Wood could be eligible for parole in as little as eight years.
Christopher Myers pleaded guilty to the murder charges on Tuesday.
He is eligible for parole in 10 years, less the two years he has already served.
But University of Ottawa law professor Daphne Gilbert says getting out on parole might be more challenging for Myers than some might think.
"It's not an inevitable thing that he will be out after 10 years," said Gilbert. "When they talk about remorse, it's not really remorse the parole board is looking for, they're looking for some realization and growth from where you were and where you are when you apply for parole."
According to Gilbert, it is highly unlikely that someone charged with first degree murder also pleads guilty to that charge.
That's not the case, however, for Kevin Davis who is expected to plead guilty on first degree murder charges in the death of 18-year-old Jennifer Teague, who went missing and was found dead after leaving a late evening shift at a Wendy's restaurant in September 2005.
Gilbert says Davis' guilty plea shows he realizes he did something wrong.
If Davis pleads guilty to first degree murder, he will be eligible for parole in 25 years.
Gilbert says the advantage of guilty pleas in both cases is that families of the victims will be able to avoid lengthy murder trials that would outline the details of their loved ones' final moments.
With a report from Aliya Jiwan
