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.

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