‘You let her do it’: Lawyer challenges Kamloops husband’s gang-related torture allegations

Gang violence and infidelity are intertwined in a Kamloops trial over the unlawful confinement and assault of a Tk’emlups man.

Brandon Hoodicoff’s wife is accused of assaulting and torturing him in their home with the assistance of another man, Devon Jules. While Devon was attempting to start a gang to sell drugs, Hoodicoff said his wife earned a spot as second-in-command for the assault.

During cross-examination on Feb. 11, Hoodicoff admitted he allowed his wife, Jessica Jules, to inflict violence on him after she discovered he was being unfaithful in their 12-year relationship.

“The truth is, you felt guilty and that’s why you let Jessica torture you the way you did,” defence lawyer Daniel McNamee said, to which Hoodicoff agreed.

The pair share three children and, roughly two months before Hoodicoff fled their Tk’emlups home, they began spending time with Devon Jules, who isn’t related to Jessica. After a few weeks, Devon moved into the home, where they were frequently drinking heavily and using drugs.

While questioned by McNamee, Hoodicoff said his infidelity never became physical, but he spoke with other women online and his wife found out. He also said their relationship had been violent in the past even before he met Devon.

“I’ll suggest to you that you let Jessica do the things she did to you because you felt guilty about what you’ve done,” McNamee said. “You didn’t fight back when she was cutting you because you were ashamed about what you’d done… In some strange way, you felt you deserved the punishment.”

Hoodicoff agreed, but he denied the entire ordeal was related to a “breakdown of the marriage,” rather than the gang Devon attempted to organize.

“I still believe it’s a multitude of both aspects,” Hoodicoff said.

The scope of the “gang” Devon allegedly organized isn’t clear and McNamee questioned whether it was meaningfully arranged at all, suggesting Hoodicoff’s extensive drug use had made him paranoid. McNamee said the home had, meanwhile, become known in the area as a “crack house,” with people coming and going at all hours.

While Hoodicoff did not witness much evidence of gang activities taking place, it’s something he asserts Devon was beginning to put together in an effort to earn a profit in the local drug market.

It appears there was also some wrestling for control or efforts to stop Devon before the plan even began.

Hoodicoff claimed that before his wife was promoted in Devon’s gang, he overheard Jessica and a man called “J-Rod” talk about a “plot” to kill Devon. Hoodicoff said he heard few details, but he told Devon about it.

Devon responded by getting upset with Hoodicoff.

“I don’t understand. Wouldn’t that make you loyal to Devon Jules to tell him?” McNamee said.

Hoodicoff said that’s what he expected, too. No further details about the plot anor the people planning it were discussed.

He’ll be cross-examined once more on Feb. 12, facing questions from Jessica’s lawyer.

The 20-day trial got underway on Monday, Feb. 9, as Devon and Jessica each face multiple criminal charges for confining, assaulting and threatening Hoodicoff.

They were initially arrested on April 17, 2024, after Hoodicoff fled the home and contacted Kamloops RCMP.

Hoodicoff said he hasn’t spoken with Jessica since he left the house in April 2024, nor has he used drugs or alcohol.