The trial for a man accused of setting fire to his apartment building and killing one of his neighbours as a result started Monday. Jason Zabos pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the death of Ricardo Olivares, 73, whose body was found three months after fire tore through the building at 10745 79 Ave. NW on Jan. 26, 2024 He also pleaded not guilty to arson with disregard for human life. The fire started in Zabos’ suite at 12:45 a.m. on Jan. 26 after a standoff with police officers that lasted nearly eight hours. More than a dozen residents had to be rescued from the building and at least nine pets were killed. The building was fully occupied at the time of the fire, and residents in all 32 suites lost their homes and all their possessions. The total damage to the building and its contents was $10 million. According to the agreed statement of facts, at least two tenants are still suffering from medical issues caused by the fire, and multiple residents are struggling with mental health issues. The body of Olivares was not located until April 22, 2024 after he was reported missing by family. According to the agreed statement of facts it was found under a “significant” amount of charred rubble. He was identified through DNA. The first witness to testify in the trial was the caretaker of the apartment building, Owen Fletcher. Fletcher told the court he had a cordial relationship with Zabos overall, but had found his suite to be dirty when he had been inside with food everywhere and overflowing garbage cans, and he suspected that bugs in another suite may have originated from Zabos’ apartment. In December 2023 Zabos failed to pay his rent, Fletcher moved to have him evicted. He testified that their relationship soured at that point. Court heard that Zabos’ rent had been paid by Pathways to Housing, a charitable agency that helps people transitioning from homelessness. Zabos fired the agency in November 2024, resulting in a stoppage of the rent payments. Fletcher told the court that after the eviction notice had been posted, he saw a Facebook post made by Zabos where he said he would burn down the apartment building with his neighbours inside. The Crown produced a copy of the post, and Fletcher confirmed it was the same one he had seen. On Jan. 15, 2024 a provincial bailiff attended the building to serve the eviction order to Zabos. Fletcher said police were ultimately called when Zabos wouldn’t come out of the apartment. He said he was told by police that his eviction order didn’t include a provision for them to enter the suite by force, so he would have to go back to court to get a new order. Fletcher got the new court order, and on Jan. 25 a different bailiff came to the building around 1:30 p.m. to attempt to serve Zabos with the order. Zabos again refused to exit the suite, and police were called to the building at 5 p.m. The standoff between Zabos and police continued until the fire broke out nearly eight hours later. Fletcher told the court the fire spread quickly through the building, and the stairways filled with smoke. He said he had to be rescued from his balcony by firefighters and he saw another tenant being carried out by paramedics. During cross examination Fletcher said he recalled Zabos being hospitalized for three weeks in January 2023 after he stopped taking his medication and said he agreed to care for Zabos’ cat during that time.He also testified that while his relationship with Zabos was still good, he had received text messages from Zabos who believed his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend were inside the apartment building and were spying on him. The trial continues this week. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson
