Updated: Fri Oct. 09 2009 18:49:16

ctvwinnipeg.ca

A Winnipeg courtroom heard chilling details of the murder of 24-year-old Roxanne Fernando who was pregnant at the time she was killed.

On Thursday, Nathanael Plourde, 21, and Jose Toruno, 21, both pleaded guilty for their roles in the killing of Fernando in February 2007.

Court heard details of how Fernando was still breathing when she was dumped in a snowy ditch after being beaten twice.

Court was told that Fernando and Plourde had a brief relationship. She wanted it to continue, but he didn't. Plourde drove her to Little Mountain Park on a Valentine's date and later beat her with a wrench several times. Her feet were bound with tape and she was thrown in the trunk of the car.

Plourde later picked up his friend Toruno and the two drove to an isolated spot in Winnipeg's northwest corner where she was beaten again and thrown in a ditch.

Both men expressed remorse at the hearing but the judge said they deserved every minute of their sentences.

Friday morning, a judge gave Plourde a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years after he pleaded guilty to first degree murder.

Toruno was also given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 15 years after he pleaded guilty to second degree murder.

A victim impact statement from Fernando's mother said there was no word to describe the loss or pain of losing her daughter.

- with a report from CTV's Kelly Dehn