Derek Puffer deemed not criminally responsible for deaths of Billy and Donna Lee Powers

Derek Puffer is charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Bill and Donna Lee Powers. (Janice Fletcher)

A Court of Queen’s Bench Justice has declared Derek Puffer, the man who had been facing second degree murder in the deaths of his mother and stepfather, not criminally responsible for his actions.

On Friday afternoon, the Justice ruled 40-year-old Puffer would not face a trial in connection to the July 4, 2013 stabbing deaths of Donna Lee Powers and her husband, radio mogul Billy Powers.

Earlier this week, Puffer testified voices in his head commanded him to stab the couple multiple times in their Braeside home. Puffer said he began to hear voices in the early 1990s and the voices escalated in frequency, and became more sinister, as the years progressed.

Puffer will continue to receive medical treatment for his diagnosed schizophrenia.