A judge handed Maxwell Zavitz, 23, a life sentence for slitting the throat of a woman who the accused referred to as his best friend.
Jennifer Paraton was killed inside her Carlton Street apartment in 2010.
The 25-year-old woman and her husband were friends with Maxwell Zavitz and had allowed him to live them.
Court heard how the victim and killer got into an argument about pictures.
Zavitz then choked Paraton out and sexually assaulted her, court heard.
When he realized she was still alive, he pulled out a butcher knife killed her, court heard.
Zavitz was charged with first-degree murder, but under a joint recommendation he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
The Crown told court that Zavitz spoke to officers at the scene of the killing and said, "I deserve to go to jail forever."
A Winnipeg judge gave Zavitz a life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 20 years.
Paraton's husband read a lengthy victim impact statement in court.
"My wife was my life and without her, I'm just a cold, empty vessel," he said.
He also addressed his wife's killer in court.
"We let you into our hearts and our home. You have ruined me. I'll never trust again," he said.
