Man To Be Sentenced For Murder Of 77-Year-Old Wife In Saanich, B.C., After Surprise Guilty Plea

The Canadian Press, 19 Jun, 2015 11:34 AM

VICTORIA — A Saanich, B.C., man has pleaded guilty in the shooting death of his 77-year-old wife.

Joseph DesRoches's jury trial for first-degree murder was well underway in Victoria when he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge accepted the plea and a sentencing hearing is set for next week.

DesRoches was arrested last year after his wife, Rosa, and their son's dog were shot to death in the couple's home.

Court heard testimony from an emergency dispatcher who said DesRoches was "eerily calm" when he called 911 after the shooting.

DesRoches' trial was expected to last another week.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Widow, Ex-Soldier Move For Final Judgment On $134m Suit Against Omar Khadr

Court documents filed in Utah April 24, the day an Alberta court granted Khadr bail, show the plaintiffs are asking the courts to award them triple damages for a total of US$134.1 million.

Widow, Ex-Soldier Move For Final Judgment On $134m Suit Against Omar Khadr

'Rent-a-cop' Program Brings Millions To Police Coffers, But Critics Want Change

TORONTO — Police officers across Canada have been getting paid for years to stand around manholes and construction sites during off-hours.

'Rent-a-cop' Program Brings Millions To Police Coffers, But Critics Want Change

Lightning Sparks Five New Wildfires In B.C. Interior As Massive Blaze Continues

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Crews are responding to five new wildfires in British Columbia's Central Interior, as a massive blaze continues to burn about 70 kilometres southwest of Prince George.

Lightning Sparks Five New Wildfires In B.C. Interior As Massive Blaze Continues

Senators Owner Melnyk Needs Liver Transplant, Turns To Public For Donor

The organization announced Thursday afternoon that owner Eugene Melnyk is in urgent need of a liver transplant and is making a public plea to find a live donor.

Senators Owner Melnyk Needs Liver Transplant, Turns To Public For Donor

Piggybacking Political Trips And Official Business: A Favourite Political Twofer

The prime minister's travel agenda these days is a neat package of taxpayer-paid photo opportunities paired with Conservative rallies — a popular twofer in Canadian politics.

Piggybacking Political Trips And Official Business: A Favourite Political Twofer

Ottawa Senators' Owner Eugene Melnyk Could Undergo Surgery This Coming Week

TORONTO — With more than 500 people offering to give part of their liver to Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, one of his doctors is now saying he could undergo surgery by the end of this week.