Penticton man pleads guilty to killing four for harassing ex-wife

KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) — The man charged in the deadliest mass shooting in Penticton’s history pleaded guilty Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court, telling a judge he intended to kill three people and knew his actions would likely cause the death of another.

John Brittain repeated “guilty” four times in B.C. Supreme Court when asked how he pleaded to three charges of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.

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

He then drove to the RCMP detachment and turned himself in.

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

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He said his then wife, Katherine Brittain, was not aware of his intentions.

A four-week trial in Supreme Court was abruptly called off earlier this month after Brittain indicated he intended to plead guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.

There will be a two-day sentencing hearing.

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