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Saanich man pleads guilty to killing his wife

After eight days of having the most intimate details of his life splayed out before a jury, the 73-year-old Canadian Forces veteran accused of killing his wife entered a surprise guilty plea to second-degree murder in court Thursday morning.
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Rosa DesRoches, 77, of Saanich was found dead in a Saanich home after a 911 call.

After eight days of having the most intimate details of his life splayed out before a jury, the 73-year-old Canadian Forces veteran accused of killing his wife entered a surprise guilty plea to second-degree murder in court Thursday morning.

While there was no dispute Joseph Melvin DesRoches shot Rosa Maria DesRoches, 77, on March 18, 2014, he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder on the grounds that he did not have the mental capacity to form the intent required for that charge.

DesRoches’ lawyer, Ray Dieno, said Thursday that his client just wanted the trial, which started June 8, to be over.

“I think Mr. DesRoches has been thinking about it for a while as the trial went on and just came to the realization this morning that he wanted to resolve the matter and put an end to it,” he said.

The defence had not started its case, but DesRoches was expected to testify.

While DesRoches showed little emotion in court, Dieno said the trial has caused huge emotional stress. “His whole life was paraded out in the media and newspapers, and it was very, very difficult for him to endure.”

The jury had listened to the 911 call during which DesRoches told a police dispatcher he shot his wife and his son’s dog, watched video of an interrogation by homicide investigators and heard from a forensic psychiatrist who said DesRoches fully remembered of the shooting.

Crown prosecutor Patrick Weir said he hopes the guilty plea “will bring some peace and closure to the family and community that has been troubled by this tragic event.”

The picture of DesRoches that emerged during the trial was one of a hard-working Canadian Forces veteran who, in his retirement from the military, taught cadets in the reserve program and worked for the Commissionaires, providing security at Government House and Ogden Point. In 1998, he received a bravery commendation for saving the life of a four-year-old boy.

“The evidence was pretty clear that Mr. DesRoches, prior to this event, was a very well-respected member of the military, well-respected member of the community, liked by his peers, liked by his neighbours,” Weir said.

“The only one who will ever know why this happened is Mr. DesRoches.”

He and Rosa were married for 45 years and had two children.

Forensic psychiatrist Roy O’Shaughnessy testified Wednesday that after speaking with DesRoches for four hours, he got the impression he was suffering from depression at times and that he resented his wife, who could be demanding and overbearing.

O’Shaughnessy said when DesRoches’ hours were cut at the Commissionaires, he spent more time at home with Rosa, adding to strains in the marriage and also to the couple’s financial worries.

DesRoches’ family has been in the courtroom every day, but declined to comment.

“It’s a very tragic event that’s obviously very sad for his children, and Mrs. DesRoches’ family, but they also care about and love their father, too,” Dieno said.

A sentencing hearing will be held next Thursday. The minimum sentence for second-degree murder is life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 10 years.

kderosa@timescolonist.com

— With files from Carla Wilson