Brittain trial expected to be four weeks sometime in the fall

Photo: CTV News

John Brittain's lawyer anticipates a four week trial in the fall.

Lawyers for the Crown and John Brittain, accused quadruple murderer, continued to move closer to setting a date for trial in Penticton Supreme Court Friday morning.

Brittain, 68, is charged with the shooting deaths of four people in Penticton in April 2019.

At a pre-trial conference, Brittain's lawyer Paul McMurray and Crown counsel Colin Forsyth told Justice Alison Beames they anticipate at four-week trial, and said they are currently looking at dates in October.

McMurray indicated he and Forsyth have a few more details to discuss before fixing the date, but said they are discussing pursuing a-judge only trial. Previously, Brittain had elected for a jury trial.

The three also discussed possible venues, with Beames asking for a date to be set “the sooner the better” due to tight schedule restrictions at the Penticton law courts.

Forsyth indicated that if his discussions with McMurray go as planned this week, he anticipates a venue in the Okanagan will be picked, but did not specify which community.

The three will meet again on Thursday March 19 with the anticipation of setting a trial date.