In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.
This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.
On tonight's episode: Compassion for a convicted arsonist.
In January, a massive fire ripped through a landmark building in downtown Orillia, causing $6 million in damage and displacing numerous tenants.
SEE: Aerial photos capture devastation of downtown fire
Brandon Costa, a 35-year-old homeless man, pleaded guilty this week to arson.
According to a joint submission of the facts presented in court, Costa was captured on camera lighting a fire in a vestibule of the building in order to stay warm. Within minutes, the blaze was out of control.
Costa is expected to be sentenced on May 13. In the meantime, the owner of the now-demolished building says he hopes Costa's conviction will be a turning point in his life.
“Let this be the fire that ignites change for you,” Dr. Jeffrey Pitcher wrote in his victim impact statement, which was read aloud in court.
BarrieToday court reporter Peter Robinson covered the guilty plea and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his latest coverage HERE.
Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. You can find all our previous segments HERE.
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