A 72-year-old man charged with first-degree murder in the March 18 death of his wife is scheduled to find out Thursday whether he will be released on bail.
Joseph Melvin DesRoches, white-haired with a slender build, has been in custody since March. Submissions at his bail hearing wrapped up Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court.
A preliminary hearing is set to begin Sept. 29.
Rosa Maria DesRoches, 77, was found shot to death in the couple’s Cameo Street home in Saanich. The family dog was also dead.
A man inside the house called 911 and said he was dealing with mental-health issues.
News of the case brought responses from people who said Joseph DesRoches was a valued member of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires. He had worked as a commissionaire for 10 years, and was described as reliable and personable.
Prior to becoming a commissionaire, DesRoches served in the military for many years.
Friends described Rosa DesRoches as a quiet woman who loved to garden. She was a longtime member of the Victoria Cactus and Succulent Society.
The couple had two children.
