The man who helped dismember his best friend will have to wait a little longer to find out his sentence.

Howard Steadman, 54, helped Ronda Black of Kelowna dismember her husband's body. Keith Black disappeared in 1998. His remains were discovered years later and ultimately led to Ronda Black's conviction of second degree murder.

During Friday's sentencing hearing, Keith Black's sister, Sandy Krause, read an victim impact statement.

She began by stating that Keith and Steadman were close friends.

"When Keith was in trouble, he would call Howard," says Krause.

While police were investigating Keith Black's disappearance, officers told Krause that they believed two people might be involved. Krause says she suspected Ronda Black, but admits Steadman was a surprise.

"I always suspected Ronda, but wondered who could be the second person?"

Krause says she has nightmares of Ronda Black and Steadman "butchering" her brother. The jury heard how Steadman and Black cut off Keith's head and hands.

Steadman, a resident of Exshaw, Alberta, showed no emotion during Krause's presentation.

He was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to murder and obstruction of a police officer. The former charge carries a life sentence. The Crown was seeking five-to-seven years in prison. Steadman's lawyer is asking for a much lesser sentence, between probation and an 18 month conditional sentence.

"It was the stuff of a horror movie and he (Steadman) played the role of one of the monsters," says Crown Norm Yates.

In his defence, Steadman spoke briefly to Keith Black's family.

"I deeply apologize. I hope you can find some measure of forgiveness in your heart today," says Steadman.

He will be sentenced later this month or early November.

Link: Ronda Black was the butcher