Adjournment granted for accused in wildfire arson case

Photo: David Newcomb

Monte Lake resident David Newcomb said his security system captured this image in early April, after a suspicious fire was set near his property. The blaze is one police believe to have been sparked by a Kamloops woman now facing arson charges.

A Kamloops woman accused of sparking a string of wildfires earlier this year in the Kamloops area has been given more time to decide how she wants to proceed in court.

Angela Elise Cornish, 42, is facing four counts of arson. She was arrested and charged in May, then released on bail.

While a publication ban covers the details of the allegations against Cornish, court documents show she is accused of intentionally sparking blazes in Monte Lake and the Lac Le Jeune area between April 30 and May 11.

During a brief hearing on Thursday at which she was supposed to have declared whether she wants to be tried in provincial court or B.C. Supreme Court, a judge was told Cornish has recently hired a new lawyer and needs more time.

Kamloops provincial court Judge Marianne Armstrong granted Cornish’s request for a three-week adjournment. She is slated to return to court on July 28 to elect her mode of trial.

Cornish remains free under bail conditions.