The murder trial of John Ike Koopmans gets underway in Penticton courthouse this morning. Credit: istock photo

Trial begins for man accused in Princeton double homicide

PENTICTON – The trial of a man accused of a double homicide and attempted murder of a third individual near Princeton in 2013  begins in Penticton this morning.

The jury  trial of John Ike Koopmans is slated to get underway in Penticton Supreme Court this morning, Feb.16.

Koopmans was charged in 2013 with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after being arrested in connection to the deaths of Robert Wharton, 44, and Rose Fox, 32. He was also charged with attempted murder of another individual.

The bodies of the victims were discovered on a property on Old Hedley Road near Princeton in early 2013.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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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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