CALGARY — Randy Clinton Davis was so angry over his girlfriend permanently ending their stormy three-year relationship, he tried to burn down the house where she was employed as a licensed practical nurse to assist a special-needs child.
It was only because of the quick thinking of his ex-girlfriend, Leanne Cook, that the family of four and their two dogs escaped safely.
According to an agreed statement of facts filed by Crown prosecutor Janice Rea, Davis poured gasoline on the home on Mount Aberdeen Close S.E. and set it alight early on the morning of May 15, 2009.
Davis, 39, pleaded guilty today through lawyer Stephen Bitzer to two counts of arson, as well as escaping lawful custody for fleeing briefly after his arrest.
Cook, who had moved to a separate residence from Davis because of ongoing conflict, advised him in a phone message during the previous evening that she wished to end their romantic relationship because she felt the continued conflict was hurting themselves and their families.
As Cook was watching a movie at the home where she worked, around 3:50 a.m., she heard a popping noise. She investigated and noticed the rear (south) door of the residence was on fire.
She immediately alerted the family. Bradley Nichols, his wife Nichole Nichols, Brady Nichols, 4, and two-year-old Marley – whom Cook was hired to assist – safely escaped through the north entrance, along with their two dogs.
The Calgary Fire Department responded to their emergency calls and extinguished the fire.
The Calgary Police Service arson unit quickly determined the fire had been deliberately set using a flammable accelerant. Officers seized two gasoline containers, samples of the accelerant, a box of wooden matches and channel lock pliers from the scene.
Tool marks present on the natural gas valve outside the residence were determined by the RCMP forensic laboratory to be from the pliers, which had recently been purchased by Davis at a Canadian Tire store.
Davis’ running shoes, seized after his arrest, were determined to have gasoline on them.
The morning after the fire, Davis admitted to a previous girlfriend that he had set the fire.
Provincial court Judge Sharon Van de Veen ordered a psychiatric/psychological report with risk assessment, as well as a pre-sentence report for sentencing arguments.
The case was adjourned until Oct. 21 to set a date for sentencing arguments.
dslade@theherald.canwest.com
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