A Kitchener man serving a life sentence for a violent shooting 15 years ago is hoping to get out of jail early through a seldom used legal measure.

Rory Foreman was convicted of murder and sentenced in May 1996 in connection with the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend.

Twenty five-year-old Joan Heimbecker was shot five times in the chest inside her dorm room on March 30, 1994.

At the time Heimbecker was a physical education student at McMaster University while Foreman was a second year nursing student at Conestoga College.

Under Canadian law, Foreman is not eligible for parole until 2021,  once he has served the full 25 years of his sentence.

But he's trying to get out early using the faint hope clause, a clause under the criminal code that allows him to apply after serving 15 years.

The hearing in Hamilton is expected to last less than a month, when a jury of twelve people will decide whether Foreman will be given the chance to get out early.

Heimbecker's sister Donna is expected to speak at the hearing on the family's behalf.