Man facing arson charges has troubled past with similar issues
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on September 28, 2023.
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews A local man with substantial mental disabilities who faces an arson charge after a garage fire this month was charged with a similar string of offences in 2011. And, in 1995, he was found not criminally responsible for setting fires that destroyed homes in Victoria, B.C., the News has learned. Joseph Haynes, 51, faces a single count of arson after a travel trailer and back-lane garage were destroyed Sept. 22 in Crescent Heights, and is out of custody following a release hearing. Police believe Haynes set a fire that caused $150,000 in damage, as well as a contravened undisclosed court order. He has not entered a plea and is scheduled to make a first court appearance Oct. 17. Police said Wednesday they are continuing the investigation and are aware of the man’s history. “We are doing our very best to monitor the individual,” said Medicine Hat police Staff Sgt. Jason Graham, who is in charge of the investigation. He says it is the job of police to hold suspects to following court-ordered conditions. “We’re confident that we can do that,” said Graham. Police are asking residents of the neighbourhood near the 1300 block of Seventh Avenue N.W. to review any security camera footage they have for suspicious activity. In the summer of 2011, Medicine Hat police put out a public bulletin asking residents of Crescent Heights to be on alert and to contact them with information after seven overnight fires were started in the area over three months. Those fires included several that damaged fences and vehicles as well as one shed and garage, along with heavy damage to city power lines, according to police reports at the time. On June 18, 2012, the News reported that Haynes pleaded guilty to one count of arson and was sentenced to eight months in custody and two years probation. In 1995, Haynes was charged with lighting five fires that damaged three homes in Victoria and forced residents to escape danger in the overnight hours. Total damage was estimated at $750,000. Haynes, then 22, was found not criminally responsible at trial with reference to an undisclosed mental disorder, the Victoria Times-Colonist reported. The judge sealed a psychiatric report in the case but noted at sentencing that Haynes was developmentally delayed and was drunk at the times he set the fires, according to media reports on the proceedings. 17-16
