Trial starts in Kelowna next week for Penticton man charged with four murders

The man charged with four murders in Penticton last year is due for trial in Kelowna early next week.

John Brittain is accused of shooting four Penticton residents in a violent killing spree that took place on April 15, 2019.

He is alleged to have gunned down Rudi Winter, 71, at a Heales Avenue address before driving to Cornwall Drive where he allegedly shot Susan and Barry Wonch, and Darlene Knippleberg.

All the victims were known to Brittain.

He surrendered to police following the shootings and has been in jail since. He faces charges of one count of second degree murder and three counts of first degree murder.

Earlier this year, Brittain’s trial was moved from Penticton to Kelowna, where it is set to get underway on Oct. 5.

READ MORE: Trial of Penticton man accused in quadruple homicide moved to Kelowna

Brittain has elected for a trial by judge in what is expected to take four weeks.

-This story was corrected at 1:15 p.m. Oct.1 to correct information about Brittain's charges.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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