Witness testifies he was told “no one was home” at townhouse that was set on fire | CBC News

A witness at the trial of Liam Stinson, 27, has testified he was at Liam Stinson’s place hours before a fire was set at a Bruce Avenue townhouse that claimed three lives.

Three people died and another was seriously injured.

Stinson is facing three charges of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Jamie-Lynn Rose, Guy Henri and Jasmine Somers.

He’s also charged in connection with recklessly causing damage by fire to a residence, causing bodily harm.

David Cheff’s townhouse unit on Bruce Avenue was set on fire in the early morning hours of April 11 and he survived by jumping out a second storey window..

The Crown, Kaely Whillans, contends Stinson arranged for the fire bombing that led to the deaths.

The witness who testified on Wednesday cannot be named or any information published that might identify him, under court order.

Publication ban prevents identification of witness

The witness testified he’d known Stinson for about four months before the fire, and bought fentanyl from him.

He told the jury he was at Stinson’s place , taking fentanyl with a group of other people.

“I was high. I was feeling euphoric,” he told the jury.

He said he had spoken to Stinson, who said that somebody owed him money and Stinson was upset and wanted to make someone pay.

He later learned that Cheff’s townhouse was the target of the arson and became alarmed.

“My first reaction was to ask if anyone was home, so it wasn’t going to be something it turned out to be.”

He said Stinson assured him no one was home, showing him a text to confirm it.

Stinson’s lawyers will cross examine the witness on Thursday.