Gabriella Sears Firing Lawyers Amid Trial for Murder and Mutilation of Darren Middleton

Accident – Death – Obituary News : **WARNING: This story contains graphic details that some readers may find disturbing.**

In a shocking twist, Gabriella Sears, the woman accused of second-degree murder and interference with human remains, has made a surprising announcement during her ongoing trial in Kelowna. Sears, who is on trial for the gruesome murder of her friend and work partner, Darren Middleton, on June 17, 2021, has decided to fire her two lawyers.

The unexpected development occurred on November 8 in a BC Supreme courtroom in Kelowna, where Sears stood up and informed Justice Carol Ross of her decision. With the trial originally scheduled to last for 44 days, this decision came on the 18th day of proceedings.

Expressing her dissatisfaction with her legal representation, Sears expressed her desire to seek alternative legal counsel or represent herself as a ‘self-represented litigant’. Justice Ross, however, urged Sears to reconsider her decision and granted a one-week stay of proceedings. The trial will reconvene on November 15, at 10 a.m.

Despite the opportunity to switch lawyers or represent herself, Justice Ross emphasized the importance of Sears continuing with her current legal team, highlighting their familiarization with the case and their dedication to acting in her best interest.

The trial, which was nearing its conclusion with only a few witnesses left to testify for the Crown, had seen several individuals taking the stand over the past 18 days. These witnesses included Middleton’s widow, friends and family, RCMP officers, blood splatter experts, and the physician who conducted Middleton’s autopsy. Each witness underwent cross-examination by the defence.

If Sears decides to proceed without legal representation, she will have the responsibility of cross-examining the Crown’s witnesses herself, in addition to calling her own witnesses for direct questioning. Furthermore, Sears will still have the opportunity to testify as a witness and be subject to cross-examination by the Crown.

During a ‘mini-trial’ known as a voir dire held prior to the trial, it was revealed that Sears had confessed to the police twice, alleging that Middleton had sexually assaulted her and she had killed him in retaliation. However, Justice Ross ruled in favour of the defence, stating that these confessions could not be used as evidence due to Sears’ rights being violated by the police.

The trial has shed light on the horrifying details of Middleton’s murder. Adams, Middleton’s widow, testified that she discovered his mutilated body in Sears’ blood-splattered bathroom in Kelowna’s Rutland neighbourhood. Distraught, she immediately contacted the authorities. Adams recalled finding Middleton’s lifeless body with multiple skull fractures and severe lacerations. Notably, his genitals had been severed and placed in a disturbing manner.

The physician who conducted Middleton’s autopsy confirmed the severity of the injuries sustained. He revealed that Middleton had suffered from blunt force trauma, resulting in bleeding in his brain and multiple skull fractures, which were likely the cause of his death. The autopsy also revealed deep lacerations on his body, in addition to the horrifying removal of his genitals.

The crime scene investigation led the RCMP to identify a baseball bat and two knives as potential weapons used in the murder.

It is essential to note that on the day of the incident, Sears was arrested under the name Dereck Sears and was initially identified by the police as a man. However, Sears identifies as a transgender woman and now uses the name Gabriella with she/her pronouns. At the time of the incident, only a few people were aware of her gender identity, including Middleton and his wife, Brenda Adams.

As the trial continues on November 15, the courtroom remains gripped by the disturbing details that have emerged so far. The outcome of Sears’ decision to fire her lawyers and potentially represent herself remains uncertain, but it is clear that this trial will leave a lasting impact on all those involved..