WARNING: This story contains graphic details that some readers may find upsetting.
After multiple delays, the murder trial for a Kelowna woman restarted on Dec. 8.
Gabriella Sears, a transgender woman, is facing charges of second-degree murder and interference with human remains in the June 2021 death of Darren Middleton.
Following Sears’ arrest, she confessed to police that she had killed Middleton. After a voir dire, however, the judge ruled the confessions may not be used as evidence in the trial on the grounds that Sears’ rights were violated by police.
The court previously heard during proceedings in 2023 that Middleton was found dead on the bathroom floor in Sears’ home on Sycamore Road in Kelowna. Throughout past proceedings, the crime scene has been described as “horrifying,” as Middleton’s body had been beaten and his genitals mutilated with a knife, according to forensic evidence.
The initial trial stopped came to a halt December 2023 after Sears unexpectedly fired her defence lawyers.
Trial was set to begin again on Oct. 28, but was delayed again.
On day two of the renewed trial, Dec. 9, video taken by Kelowna RCMP Corporal Jimmy Chow documenting the crime scene was played for the court. The video showed footage of the outside of the residential address taped off on June 17, 2021 before panning through areas of the home, including a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom where the victim’s body was found.
The victim could be seen lying on the floor of the bathroom with a yellow box cutter sitting on Middleton’s abdomen and a baseball bat lying next to his head. A silver pocket knife was also seen on the bathroom floor with wet and bloody clothing.
Chow testified that he returned to the scene on June 18 to continue the investigation. He told the court officers were ordered to search the property for the victim’s testicles, which had been removed from his body. The officer stated the search lasted about a half-hour.
Sears has remained in custody since her arrest. The trial is scheduled to continue tomorrow.