Craig Pope will spend at least 11 years in prison for murder before he can get parole.

But even Justice Glen Noel, who made the order, acknowledged no number will bring back the victim, Jonathan Collins.

Pope was found guilty in December of second-degree murder in the 2017 stabbing death of Collins in the west end of St. John’s.

The crime comes with an automatic life sentence, meaning Pope will forever be under the supervision of parole officials.

But it’s up to the judge to determine the length of parole ineligibility, or how long he must serve before he can apply.

The 11-year term splits the difference between the Crown’s ask for 12 years and the defence submission for 10.

And while the Crown didn’t get the number they wanted, prosecutor Shawn Patten said that’s very much secondary.

“Really, it’s not about myself and my colleague; it’s about the impact it has on the Collins family,” he said. “This has been a long time, since September of 2017 dealing with this, and we’re happy for them, that they can try to get some closure now.

“That’s the key for us. We really just want them to be able to move on, and for myself and my colleague it’s just on to the next file and to do the best work we can do.”

Family members of both Pope and the victim, Jonathan Collins, were openly emotional throughout yesterday’s sentencing.

It’s the second time Pope has been convicted of the crime, after the first verdict was overturned on appeal.