A former Yorkton businessman accused of burning down his gym in 2010 will face trial.
Chancey Brent Heiser, who is currently serving four years and six months in federal penitentiary in Prince Albert for sexually assaulting two women in 2011, appeared in Yorkton Court February 3 for a preliminary hearing in the arson case. He faces three charges, arson with disregard for human life, arson for a fraudulent purpose and fraud.
It was July 29, 2010 at approximately 10 p.m. when a passing motorist noticed smoke coming from the building at the corner of Smith Street and First Avenue that housed Heiser’s Gym and Fitness, Sheer Bliss Hair Salon, The Pumphouse (a supplements store) and Wax Pot Esthetics. Firefighters battled the blaze through the night.
The second floor was completed gutted and although there was no damage to the main floor, the building could not be saved and was later demolished.
At the preliminary hearing, prosecutor Darryl Bode introduced RCMP Const. Henry Neumiller, the lead investigator on the case as an expert witness.
The defence, led by Estes Fonkalsrud, a Moose Jaw attorney told the court he did not intend to raise any objection to Neumiller’s qualifications as an expert.
Neumiller testified for approximately two-and-a-half hours on direct examination by the Crown and four an hour on cross-examination by the defence.
The evidence he gave is subject to a publication ban request by the defence.
Although Heiser has elected to be tried by Queen’s Bench judge alone, Fonkalsrud successfully argued for the ban on the basis that there is pending civil litigation in the case.
At the end of questioning, the defence informed the Court the accused consented to being committed to trial.
A trial date has not been set.
The Court also dealt with two unrelated charges of harassment and breaching a recognizance by contacting somebody he is prohibited from communicating with.
