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Sentencing hearing continues today for Penticton mass murderer

Sentencing hearing continues today for Penticton mass murderer | iNFOnews.ca
RCMP officers continue to work outside a crime scene at the corner of Cornwall Drive in Penticton, B.C., on Tuesday April 16, 2019. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to continue today, Oct. 15, 2020 for a man who pleaded guilty to four murders last year in Penticton, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff Bassett

KELOWNA, B.C. – A sentencing hearing is scheduled to continue today for a man who pleaded guilty to four murders last year in Penticton, B.C.

John Brittain pleaded guilty Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court to three charges of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.

The court heard the 69-year-old man killed Rudi Winter, Barry and Susan Wonch, and Darlene Knippelberg on April 15, 2019, shooting each of them multiple times.

Crown attorney Colin Forsyth said Brittain explained to a police interviewer that the victims, who were all neighbours, had been harassing his ex-wife for years.

First- and second-degree murder convictions carry automatic life sentences.

Parole eligibility for first-degree murder is set at 25 years, while it is between 10 and 25 years for second-degree murder.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2020.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.

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