Mistrial in Kamloops alleged torture case, jury dismissed

The jury for an alleged torture trial in Kamloops was dismissed after a mistrial ruling.

Jessica Valerie Jules, alongside co-accused Devon Carl Jules, is accused of torturing her husband almost two years after he fled their Tk’emlups home and contacted police.

Ten days into their trial, Crown prosecutors had completed their case as the jury heard evidence against Jessica and Devon, including shifting accounts from victim Brandon Hoodicoff.

Jessica was testifying last week, but she left before cross-examination started because of a medical incident.

On Monday morning, Feb. 23, Justice Brad Smith dismissed the jury.

Hoodicoff testified for four of the ten days. In that time, his account first alleged his wife, Jessica, tortured him as part of an initiation into Devon’s gang.

During cross-examination, his story changed as he said Devon gave Jessica no choice and had threatened their family, including their three children, if she didn’t comply. The jury also heard from Hoodicoff, then from Jessica, that Devon was not selling any drugs and the three were only buying cocaine for themselves.

Jessica and Devon, who are not related, remain on bail as the trial is postponed. It’s not clear when it may restart again.