Verdict next week in trial for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her children in house fire
A Canadian soldier on trial for the attempted murder of her three children will learn her fate next week.
The woman, who cannot be identified due to a publication ban, is charged with three counts of attempted murder along with arson charges after a 2015 house fire at CFB Edmonton.
The Crown has been trying to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she intentionally set the fire while her three children were asleep inside.
The 10-day trial wrapped up on Friday with closing arguments. Over the course of the past two weeks, a judge has heard testimony from several witnesses, including the woman’s children.
One of her son’s testified he woke up and told his mom about the fire but was told to go back to bed.
Defence lawyer Curtis Steeves argued his client had nothing to do with the fire.
“There are too many gaps in the evidence, too many questions,” he said.
He also took aim at the boy’s evidence.
“Given the way both of their evidence changed over time, this court should be extremely skeptical, extremely critical regarding that,” Steeves told the court.
He added evidence shows they were influenced by their father.
In response to the mother’s testimony, Crown Prosecutor Dallas Sopko said, “It’s not true that she tried to help them escape.”
He also reminded the court about a letter reportedly sent by the accused with a large sum of money to a friend.
“This letter is her acknowledgement that she’s about to do something rash,” Sopko said. “She intended to kill herself and the kids.”
Sopko told the court she also had motive as the fire happened just days before her ex-husband would get primary custody of the children.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges at the start of the trial.
A verdict in the case is expected next Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.