Defence argues mental illness in long-running Kelowna homicide trial
Defense lawyers say Gabriella Sears was mentally ill and not criminally responsible for Darren Middleton’s death as the long-delayed trial nears completion.
- The second-degree murder trial for Gabriella Sears resumed on June 23, 2026, at Kelowna Supreme Court, where the defence argued she is not criminally responsible for the death of Darren Middleton due to mental health concerns.
- Five years ago, police found 49-year-old Middleton dead in the bathroom of a residence at 1210 Sycamore Road in Rutland, prompting Sears' arrest on June 17, 2021.
- The trial restarted in Kelowna on Dec. 8, 2025, but faced significant delays when Sears unexpectedly fired her legal counsel in December 2023, requiring appointment of a third set of lawyers.
- Justice Carol Ross ruled that a confession Sears gave to police is inadmissible because her rights were violated; the court viewed video footage of an RCMP officer interviewing the accused two days after her arrest.
- The court ordered a month-long psychiatric assessment to determine if mental health issues impacted the accused; proceedings are expected to continue through the week.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Defence argues mental illness in long-running Kelowna homicide trial - Creston Valley Advance
Five years after Darren Middleton died of blunt force trauma to the head, suffered a severed penis, missing his testicles, and was found in a bathroom of the home in Rutland, the second-degree murder trial for the woman accused of his death is one step closer to being completed. Gabriella Sears was first arrested and charged on the morning of June 17, 2021, with the killing of 49-year-old Middleton. Sears had confessed to police that she had kil…
Defence argues mental illness in long-running Kelowna homicide trial - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
Five years after Darren Middleton died of blunt force trauma to the head, suffered a severed penis, missing his testicles, and was found in a bathroom of the home in Rutland, the second-degree murder trial for the woman accused of his death is one step closer to being completed. Gabriella Sears was first arrested and charged on the morning of June 17, 2021, with the killing of 49-year-old Middleton. Sears had confessed to police that she had kil…
Defence argues mental illness in long-running Kelowna homicide trial - Grand Forks Gazette
Five years after Darren Middleton died of blunt force trauma to the head, suffered a severed penis, missing his testicles, and was found in a bathroom of the home in Rutland, the second-degree murder trial for the woman accused of his death is one step closer to being completed. Gabriella Sears was first arrested and charged on the morning of June 17, 2021, with the killing of 49-year-old Middleton. Sears had confessed to police that she had kil…
Defence argues mental illness in long-running Kelowna homicide trial - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
Five years after Darren Middleton died of blunt force trauma to the head, suffered a severed penis, missing his testicles, and was found in a bathroom of the home in Rutland, the second-degree murder trial for the woman accused of his death is one step closer to being completed. Gabriella Sears was first arrested and charged on the morning of June 17, 2021, with the killing of 49-year-old Middleton. Sears had confessed to police that she had kil…
Defence argues mental illness in long-running Kelowna homicide trial - Northern Sentinel
Five years after Darren Middleton died of blunt force trauma to the head, suffered a severed penis, missing his testicles, and was found in a bathroom of the home in Rutland, the second-degree murder trial for the woman accused of his death is one step closer to being completed. Gabriella Sears was first arrested and charged on the morning of June 17, 2021, with the killing of 49-year-old Middleton. Sears had confessed to police that she had kil…
Vernon Morning Star
Defence argues mental illness in long-running Kelowna homicide trial
Five years after Darren Middleton died of blunt force trauma to the head, suffered a severed penis, missing his testicles, and was found in a bathroom of the home in Rutland, the second-degree murder trial for the woman accused of his death is one step closer to being completed. Gabriella Sears was first arrested and charged on the morning of June 17, 2021, with the killing of 49-year-old Middleton. Sears had confessed to police that she had kil…
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