A Greater Sudbury man accused of starting a Christmas Day fire in a large downtown apartment complex has opted to have his trial heard by a judge and jury.
Wayne Maurice, 27, has been charged with arson endangering life, arson causing damage to property, two counts of mischief, assaulting a woman,
confining the same woman and breach of probation. Fire crews were called to a building on Pearl Street on Christmas Day of last year.
A preliminary hearing on all counts was held Thursday at the Sudbury courthouse.
Justice William Fitzgerald ordered a ban on publication of evidence presented at the preliminary hearing.
Defence counsel William Beach said his client would like to have his trial heard by a judge and jury of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
The key issue in this matter is identity of who started the fires, said Beach, at the onset of the preliminary hearing.
It?s expected a trial would be heard in late summer or early fall.
