Christy Morin, a long-term resident of Alberta Avenue in north-central Edmonton, expressed how the community was deeply impacted by a series of arsons that occurred in 2020 and 2021. She shared her distress in court, recalling how the fires instilled fear and disrupted their sense of security. The aftermath of the fires led some residents to sell their homes and leave the neighborhood, causing businesses to close down.
The sentencing of Darcy Willier, a key figure in orchestrating the arsons, shed light on the turmoil faced by the community. Willier, associated with the Redd Alert gang and involved in drug use, was found guilty of setting several fires as part of a scheme orchestrated by former landlord Abdullah Shah. The fires were intended to intimidate another property owner and drive down property values in the area.
Despite Willier being responsible for only a portion of the fires, the court emphasized his significant role in spreading fear and harm throughout the community. The judge highlighted Willier’s lack of remorse and willingness to continue setting fires as concerning aspects of his behavior.
During the sentencing hearing, the Crown sought a 20-year prison term for Willier, citing the profound impact of his actions on the neighborhood and the city as a whole. In contrast, the defense argued for a shorter sentence, considering Willier’s troubled upbringing and vulnerability to influence.
Willier expressed remorse for his actions in court, attributing his behavior to addiction and emphasizing his commitment to change and maintain sobriety. Despite receiving credit for pretrial custody, including time spent in solitary confinement, Willier was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with a requirement to serve at least half of the term before being eligible for parole.