Stephen Fraser found guilty of stabbing and beating his friend to death

KAMLOOPS –  A Kamloops man has been found guilty for the brutal killing of a 26-year-old man he called a friend, last winter.

A 12-member jury deliberated overnight before convicting Stephen George Fraser, 58, of second degree murder in B.C. Supreme Court today, Dec. 13.

Fraser stabbed and beat his friend and co-worker Cody Foster to death in his camper at a Dallas RV Park on Feb. 11, 2017.

Defence lawyers argued Fraser was acting in self-defence, but the jury did not accept that submission.

"We are pleased the jury was able to reach a verdict and we hope this brings some closure to the family," Crown prosecutor Alex Janse said outside the Kamloops courthouse today.

Foster's two older sisters Nikki and Dana said the verdict was a sense of relief.

"It's step one of learning how to move on," Dana said. "I'm glad that he's not going to get away with it."

Foster had moved to Kamloops from northern B.C. to try out the city life, Dana said.

"He wanted to see what opportunities (the city) gave," she said. "He loved Kamloops."

After being found guilty of second degree murder, Fraser must serve a minimum of 10 years but no more than 25 years in prison before he is eligible for parole, B.C. Supreme Court Judge Len Marchand said.

The jury did not have a recommendation for Fraser's parole eligibility.

A sentencing date has not been set yet.

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