Loved ones share memories of 'gentle giant' killed in Napanee arson

Walter Lasher was a friendly fixture in downtown Napanee, Ont., who would greet anyone, even strangers, with a wave, a big smile and sometimes even a little dance.

Known as a gentle giant, his death left a gaping hole in the community, loved ones told court Thursday as they read victim impact statements through tears.

The 67-year-old died after being pulled from a burning transitional housing building on John Street on Aug. 3, 2024.

Andrew Thompson, a 32-year-old from the area, was initially charged with first-degree murder in Lasher's death, but pleaded guilty in May to one count each of manslaughter and arson.

Thompson sat in the courtroom wearing a grey hoodie, looking down as the victim impact statements were read, his long dark hair covering his forehead.

Family members described Lasher as childlike in many ways, with a disability that kept him from writing or reading anything other than his name, and a dislike of cars that meant he'd walk everywhere, sometimes pulling a cart behind him.

He was the kind of person who carried candy with him to hand out to kids after getting permission from their parents, his sister Freda Hart said.

Lasher sat on every park bench in Napanee and was "as much a part of downtown as the landscape," she said, describing how strangers still approach her to say how much they miss him.

"He didn't deserve to die in that cruel way," she said. "How would you feel if your brother were killed in the fire that was intentionally set?"

Defence lawyer Peter Zaduk said his client should receive a sentence of between five and eight years. He argued Thompson should also be credited with two years of time served because of how long he'd been left in lockdown and in a triple-bunked jail cell.

"Everyone agrees that he was in ... basically a haze from drug abuse during this episode," the lawyer added.

Crown says setting fire took 'focus'

Crown Attorney Monica Heine disagreed with that assessment, pointing to surveillance video that she said showed Thompson making "repeated" attempts to set fires in the building over a long period of time.

The Crown also said Thompson took steps to "render assistance useless," including hiding a fire extinguisher from the kitchen and removing another from the front hall, which he deployed so it couldn't be used to put out the flames.

"These actions took place over a significant period of time, were persistent, required thought, diligence and focus," Heine said, calling for a sentence of 10 years.

Lasher's family members also mentioned the video and the different attempts Thompson had made to spark the flames.

"Three attempts to start that fire means three different chances to change his mind and the horrific outcome," according to a statement read on behalf of Mary Lasher, the victim's niece.

His loved ones said Lasher had survived two other fires, a heart attack and a stroke, but he couldn't shake the fear he would die in the building.

Hart, his sister, said he got up early to pick up discarded needles and wash away blood before he could shower each morning, but he couldn't afford to live anywhere else.

A statement read on behalf of residents of the building said the fire had displaced people already in crisis, removing a stepping stone on the path to recovery and retraumatizing people who were trying to overcome immense obstacles.

Thompson calls victim a 'great man'

At one point, a man who identified himself as the accused's uncle spoke on Thompson's behalf, referring to him by his initials.

"I don't want people to see AJ … as a monster," he said. "He's not a monster. He's obviously done something horrible."

Asked if he had anything he wanted to say, Thompson stood and apologized to Lasher's family and friends, describing him as a "great man" who was always kind to him.

"I am truly sorry," he said.

Justice Geoffrey Griffin responded by asking Thompson if he believed he could quit drugs for good. "I'm very hopeful of it," Thompson replied.

Lasher's family said regardless of the sentence, Walter's loss has left them with a life sentence of sorts — one without any more of his smiles, jokes or hugs.

"I want to say that memories are like scars," Amanda, another of his nieces, told court. "They leave a lasting impression. They are precious, especially when you can't make them anymore."

Thompson is set to be sentenced Aug. 8.