Saskatoon teen accused in high school fire attack pleads not guilty, chooses judge-alone trial
Preliminary hearing set for July 14-17
A Saskatoon teen accused of lighting a classmate on fire has pleaded not guilty and chose a trial by judge alone at Court of King's Bench.
The 15-year-old, who was 14 at the time of the alleged crime, appeared by video Friday at provincial court. Four days have been set aside in July for a preliminary hearing. She has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and arson.
Prosecutor Ainsley Furlonger said the Crown would be seeking an adult sentence if the teen is convicted.
The incident happened over the noon hour on the first day of school in September at Evan Hardy Collegiate.
Students spoke to CBC in September about what they saw.
Grade 9 student Sophie Hubbard said she and her friend Lexxi Sparvier were leaving social studies class when the incident occurred. Hubbard said she saw a girl pour liquid from a black container onto another girl and lift a hand toward the other girl's head, then saw the victim on fire in the hallway. Neither student saw what was used to ignite the fire.
"I just paused for five seconds and then I yelled, 'Fire!' and ran out with Sophie," Sparvier said.
Teachers helped extinguish the blaze. The 15-year-old victim was transported to hospital with serious injuries. One teacher was also taken to hospital.
The accused was arrested shortly after. She remains in custody.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
