Stone Ridge Covered Bridge Arsonist on Trial

WGN 55-15-08

 

Stone Ridge, NB, October 7, 2010 - Finger pointing and lapsed memories characterized some of the testimony Wednesday in the trial of an Upper Keswick man accused of torching a historic covered bridge in Zealand.

Benjamin Michael Griffiths, 20, of 39 Griffiths Rd. stood trial in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday on an arson charge, specifically that he set fire to the Stone Ridge Covered Bridge on Oct. 10, 2008, and destroyed it.

Two others - both male youths from the Zealand area - were charged with arson as well in connection with the bridge fire. One pleaded guilty earlier this year and was sentenced last month to a year of probation. The other is scheduled to stand trial today.

They can't be identified as per the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Another youth who was with the other three on the night of the fire but was never charged was the Crown's star witness.

For the story, go to: http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/front/article/1252264.