2 plead guilty in Kelowna murder

Photo: Contributed

Norman Cocks (left) with his father Robert

Two full patch members of the Hells Angels have pled  guilty to manslaughter for their role in the murder of a Kelowna man nearly three years ago.

According to a report in The Province, Robert Leonard Thomas and Norman Robert Cocks appeared briefly in a Vancouver courtroom Thursday when they entered the guilty pleas.

Both had originally been charged with second degree murder.

This is believe to be the first time members of the Hells Angels have been found guilty of manslaughter in BC.

Dain Phillips, then 51, was allegedly beaten with a baseball bat on the evening of June 12, 2011, near the intersections of McCurdy and Gibson roads.

He was left unconscious and died later in Kelowna General Hospital.

Police at the time stated several vehicles arrived at the scene about that time.

"All persons exited their respective vehicles and the physical altercation ensued," Sgt. Ann Morrison said at the time.

Photo: Castanet Staff - File Photo

RCMP collect evidence at the scene of the night of June 12, 2011.

Phillips apparently was trying to resolve a dispute between his two sons and two brothers they knew from school.

The Province report went on to say Crown Counsel Joe Bellows told court he and the defence would provide a joint submission on an appropriate sentence.

Sentencing is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The trial for four other men charged in the case, Robert Charles Cocks (Norman's father), Anson Lloyd Schell, Daniel Joseph McRae and Matthew Thomas McRae, is scheduled to begin Monday.

The elder Cocks is president of the Throttle Lockers.

Charges against a seventh man, Thomas Vaughan, have been stayed.