No direct evidence that Justin Kyle Aster set deadly Econo Lodge Motel fire, lawyer for accused argues during closing submissions
The man accused of setting a deadly fire at a downtown Prince George was seen on security cameras at about the time the blaze broke out, but beyond that Crown prosecution has fallen short of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt, the lawyer defending the suspect argued during closing submissions for a trial on the matter.
In a closing statement, defence counsel Jason LeBlond said there is no dispute Aster was the one depicted in the videos but stressed that his client has denied setting the fire and that there is no direct evidence that he did so. Investigators determined the blaze started in a pile of debris underneath a stairway at the east end of the motel's courtyard but were unable to conclude how the fire was ignited, LeBlond said, and noted that a security camera behind the motel showed other people passing through a breezeway to where fire broke out in the lead up.
As to Crown's claim Aster was less than forthright with police, LeBlond suggested Aster's memory of what happened on that day may not have been that good due to his heroin use.
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