ATHABASCA — A man alleged to have set several buildings on fire has chosen to represent himself in a series of trial dates on various charges.
In Athabasca Provincial Court Nov. 24 Judge Clifton Purvis spoke with Marcel Gambler who appeared via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre. Gambler informed the court he intended to represent himself and asked for the discovery documents pertaining to the arson charges.
“Has Mr. Gambler submitted to have the discovery sent to him,” Judge Purvis asked Crown prosecutor Nicole Parker.
Parker said notes showed at a previous court appearance Gambler had verbally asked for them and her office would make arrangements.
Gambler has a one-hour trial set for Jan. 17, 2022 on three counts of failure to comply with release conditions after his Aug. 31 arrest for arson; a two-hour trial for theft under $5,000 March 1, 2022 from charges in June; and a two-hour trial for break and enter with intent March 7, 2022.
As all the charges are from separate events they all have separate trials and the most severe, on the charges of arson, mischief, after damaging several windows at downtown Athabasca businesses, and resisting a peace officer after the Aug. 31 fire in an abandoned house at 4814 – 45th Avenue in Athabasca, are set for a full day on May 22, 2022.
RCMP received a tip that morning from witnesses who noticed Gambler leaving the scene and arrested him a short time later at the Riverfront Park.
Gambler will remain in custody and Judge Purvis said he will be brought to the Athabasca courthouse for each trial.
