One person accused of deliberately setting a fire at a Chatham housing complex in 2024 has had her arson charge withdrawn.
Erin Ott, 32, of Chatham, was in Chatham court on Tuesday for the first day of an arson trial, when it was announced that her arson charge was being dropped and she was taking the stand to testify as the Crown's first witness.
That only leaves Leonard Greason, 49, of London, facing a charge of arson with disregard for human life in connection with the arson at 99 McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham in August 2024.
Ott told the court she was hanging out with a bunch of people on the day of the fire, left and returned a few times throughout the day, and finally left for good with Greason after someone in the group started bothering her.
Under cross-examination, Ott denied setting the fire, assisting anyone to set the fire, and said she was not present when the fire started.
Greason's lawyer painted Ott as an unreliable and confused witness because of her criminal record for fraud and her previous substance use, suggesting that Greason was not at the apartment when the fire started.
The defence also suggested that someone other than Greason or Ott set the fire.
Greason is still in custody while Ott is out on bail.
The trial resumes on March 11 with Ott back on the stand to finish her cross-examination.
The municipality previously reported that the fire at 99 McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham started in B Block on August 25, 2024, displacing approximately 100 residents.
The case has a publication ban prohibiting evidence from being made public.
