An investigation into the 36-year-old man who was arrested and then released following a video which allegedly shows him intentionally starting a fire in West Kelowna on Saturday evening has concluded, according to RCMP..“There is no more information to be released,” Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy told the Western Standard..“We are submitting the files to the BC prosecution service who will review it and determine what the charges will be. The investigation is done so it’s now up to BC prosecution service to take the next step.”.Around 8:30 p.m., a resident on Webber Road in the Glenrosa neighbourhood began filming when he noticed a man lurking in the wooded area behind his home. The video shows the man lingering amid the trees before lighting something on fire and tossing it into the dry brush..Neighbours rushed to extinguish the fire themselves before officers arrived. Shortly after receiving a description of the suspect and his vehicle, police were able to locate and arrest him in the area..Despite video evidence and an arrest shortly after, the suspect was released with “a series of conditions and charges pending,” which left local residents cursing the justice system for letting the alleged arsonist go..“The presumption is innocence until proven guilty. You have to show an overwhelming case to keep them in,” a former RCMP investigator told the Western Standard..“That video on its own is likely not good enough to convict, or even I.D. He will be in court with no beard, a suit, a change of hair, maybe he’ll put on 20 lbs. Can you say unequivocally, 100%, this is the guy? Does he have a twin brother? Does he have a look alike? Is the camera a little hazy? Is it only glimpses of the individuals identifying features?.“All defence has to do is raise a doubt that it was the accused..“I’ve seen murderers, rapists, robbers – you name it – released. It wouldn’t be a strange tale to any of the police involved. Cellphone tracking needs a warrant, searching his home needs a warrant, e-mail needs a warrant, his car… possibly a warrant. And remember, you need to prove the integrity of a video..“On the flip side, it may look like a slam dunk, it may sounds like a slam dunk, but there have been many people convicted in the court of public opinion (who) are innocent in the end.”.Significant RCMP resources have been tied up in Kelowna following the crane accident that left five dead..Reid Small is a BC correspondent for the Western Standard.rsmall@westernstandardonline.com
