ST. THOMAS -- A St. Thomas man has been sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole for 25 years, after being found guilty of first-degree murder in the strangulation of his estranged wife.

Michael Smith, 37, was sentenced yesterday, following a five-week trial in which the Crown contended he had been stalking his ex and in which he admitted having sex with his wife's body.

A silent Smith showed no emotion when Justice Peter Hockin passed sentence.

"Domestic violence represents a scourge to civilized society," Hockin said. "The sentence is fitting and proper in these circumstances."

Eugena Smith, 33, was found strangled to death in the bedroom of her 9 Balaclava St. home on June 7, 2007.

Outside court, the woman's father, Ed Slade, said justice was served.

"He got what he deserved. It was a horrendous thing he did. It was just so senseless."

Seven victim impact statements were filed in court yesterday, five of which were read aloud.

"This will affect me for the rest of my life," Slade said in his statement.

Eugenie McLaughlin said in her statement that keeping her youngest sister out of harm's way was her job.

"The thought that she lived her last days in fear is unbearable for me," she said.

Brother Rick Slade said every time he hears a siren, he fears for his family's safety. "I'll never be the same person I was before."

Defence lawyer Robert Upsdell said his client isn't doing well.

"(His family), they're taking it hard as well," he said. "In a domestic context, severe depression, untreated, can sometimes result in disastrous consequences."

Upsdell said an appeal is possible. "In a first-degree case, an appeal has to be strongly considered."

The trial drew on photographs, video forensic and electronic evidence -- call logs, text messages and online communication -- plus testimony by more than 20 witnesses including Smith.

He admitted he was responsible for the death of his estranged wife, but denied he planned her murder.

The morning of June 7, 2007, Smith testified he went to his wife's house sometime after 4:30 a.m. to talk with her.

He surprised her while she was sleeping and he put his hand over her mouth and throat to keep from waking the couple's daughter. He looked back minutes later and she was dead.

Smith took his daughter to his parent's place and returned, took drugs and had sex with his wife's body before lying down beside her, waiting to die.

The Crown suggested Eugena was strangled from behind in bed and was sexually assaulted twice -- once while she was alive and again after she died. Michael Smith, the prosecution contended, had created a fake Facebook profile to keep tabs on her.