B.C. Court of Appeal Upholds Arson Conviction
In a decisive legal verdict, the British Columbia Court of Appeal has refused an arsonist’s bid to overturn his conviction, meaning he will stay behind bars under his existing sentence without reduction. The ruling came this week after judges reviewed the appeal and determined there were no errors in the way his original trial was handled.
Steven Marlo Gallagher the man at the centre of the case had argued that witnesses and video evidence did not properly identify him in connection with a string of violent and destructive acts. However, the appellate judges disagreed, saying the evidence clearly tied him to the crimes.
From Pharmacy Fire to Court Appeal Battle
Gallagher’s legal troubles go back to a 2023 conviction for multiple offences, including arson, after a dramatic sequence of criminal behaviour in the South Okanagan. During the original trial, the court heard that Gallagher had engaged in an altercation with police, fired shots near an RCMP detachment, and then set fire to an Oliver pharmacy all captured on surveillance footage and corroborated by officers’ testimony.
At that time, he was sentenced to 45 months in prison for the arson conviction. He also faces additional time linked to a Canada Day shooting incident in Osoyoos in 2022.
Why the Appeal Was Rejected
On Nov. 27, the Court of Appeal released its decision, explaining that the lower court had correctly evaluated the testimony from police and the video evidence. Judges found no legal basis to second-guess the verdict, and they refused to overturn the conviction. The appeal was dismissed.
In other words, Gallagher’s attempt to challenge the strength of the identification evidence and video proof “could not succeed,” according to the written judgment.
What This Means Going Forward
With the appeal denied, Gallagher remains in custody under his existing sentence, and it’s unlikely he will be released or have his conviction shortened based on this case. The decision underscores how appellate courts generally defer to trial findings unless clear errors are proven.
For victims and the community, the ruling closes a chapter on this particular legal fight, keeping the original sentencing intact after years of serious offences and courtroom proceedings.
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