On April 15, 2019, John Brittain shot four Penticton residents in the deadliest shooting in the city's history.
(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
October 14, 2020 - 10:26 AM
The Penticton man charged in a fatal mass shooting admitted he planned and carried out a series of murders.
John Brittain, 69, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder in connection with the April 15, 2019 fatal shootings of Rudi Winter, Barry and Susan Wonch, and Darlene Knippelberg. All were neighbours of the accused’s ex-wife.
Before accepting his guilty pleas, Justice Alison Beames asked him if he understood what he was doing by entering guilty pleas.
"You understand that by pleading guilty you may well spend the rest of your life in prison?" Beames said.
"That is correct," Brittain said, before pleading guilty to each count.
Crown indicated they will be looking for consecutive parole ineligibility, which means Brittain wouldn't be eligible for parole until at least 85 years.
Brittain's trial was to begin last week but Paul McMurray, counsel for Brittain, told the court the guilty plea would be forthcoming.
First- and second-degree murder both come with a life sentence of life imprisonment. In the case of first-degree murder, parole eligibility starts at 25 years. Second-degree murder starts anywhere from 10 to 25 years, as determined by the court during sentencing.
Generally, charges for crimes committed on separate occasions can be served consecutively. In cases where the offences arise out of the same event they're served concurrently. Beames, however, does have discretion, which she pointed out to Brittain.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020