B.C. arsonist who believed Freemasons were using 'mind control' sentenced to 40 months in prison
A man who told police he was "on a mission to address (the) Illuminati" has been sentenced to 40 months in prison in a Metro Vancouver arson case.
Benjamin Orion Carlson Kohlman was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to an arson spree that destroyed one Masonic hall on the morning of March 30, 2021 and damaged two others.
In her sentencing decision, Judge Laura Bakan noted the court had heard Kohlman told police his theories that the Freemasons "were using mind control on people” and the arsons were his way of drawing attention to his beliefs that “dark souls and evil were involved."
Bakan said the key factor appeared to be "psychosis triggered by drug use,” including ecstasy and marijuana.
His lawyer said Kohlman, who had no prior criminal record, was taking full responsibility for his actions.
“He communicated to me his apology for his actions, his understanding for the harm done, and his remorse for that,” Jessica Dawkins told CTV News.
In her sentence, which was more than defence asked for, but less than Crown’s proposal, the judge noted that what are known as Gladue principles applied, because of Kohlman’s Indigenous background.
Both Crown and defence agreed the crimes were not motivated by revenge or hate, but instead by Kohlman’s struggles with mental health and addictions.
The court also heard that Kohlman’s father had killed his mother, then died by suicide when he was five.
“He had a terrible upbringing and had many setbacks which brought him, to a certain extent to his lot in life,” Crown counsel Jonas Dow said. “So the judge has to balance out all of those."
Freemason Dave Goddard, with the Grand Lodge of B.C. and Yukon, called the sentence “appropriate” given Kohlman’s personal circumstances and said he hoped he would get the help he needed.
“We just hope that we’ll be able to rebuild and live within the communities peacefully, the way we have for hundreds of years,” Goddard said.
Kohlman pleaded guilty in September to three charges of intentionally or recklessly causing damage by fire or explosion to two halls in North Vancouver, and one in East Vancouver, causing more than $2.5 million in damages.
As part of the plea, other charges, which included three counts of break-and-enter to commit arson, and the assault of an off duty peace officer who confronted and tried to arrest Kohlman, were stayed.
With credit for time served, lawyers said Kohlman should be released in less than two-and-a-half years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6945600.1719608806!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'We need new leadership': Liberal MP writes to caucus, says Justin Trudeau should resign
A sitting Liberal MP has written to the federal caucus to say he thinks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should resign. 'For the future of our party and for the good of our country we need new leadership and a new direction,' said New Brunswick MP Wayne Long in the brief note.
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
Is marriage harder than it was 10 years ago? Why one psychologist thinks so
Marriage might be the oldest institution in the world, but it's struggling to adapt to the pressures of modern life. Registered psychologist Adisa Azubuike explains why it's more difficult today.
TREND LINE Trudeau Liberals 'under siege' across the country, with Conservatives cracking red 'fortresses' like Toronto and Vancouver: Nanos
Hot on the heels of the Conservatives' stunning byelection victory in the riding of Toronto—St. Paul's, new seat projection data from Nanos Research show ridings considered previously safe for the Liberals are increasingly up for grabs.
Biden concedes debate fumbles but declares he will defend democracy. Dems stick by him ─ for now
U.S. President Joe Biden forcefully tried on Friday to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with former President Donald Trump, as elected members of his party closed ranks around him in an effort to shut down talk of replacing him atop the ticket.
Need multiple alarms to wake up in the morning? Here's what could be happening, according to experts
If you are clogging your clock app with multiple morning alarms, you’re setting yourself up for a groggy morning, experts say.
Is homemade sunscreen safe to use? Here's why it's 'a horrible idea,' according to experts
If you could make sunscreen with items found in your kitchen pantry, should you do it? Posts from social media influencers and bloggers including recipes to make your own sunscreen have been wildly circulated online, but the dermatologists who spoke to CTVNews.ca call it a 'horrible idea.'
New charges against Frank Stronach involve 7 additional complainants: court documents
Billionaire businessman Frank Stronach stands charged with sexually assaulting seven additional complainants from 1977 to as recently as February, court documents filed Friday show, bringing the total number of accusers in his case to 10.
'His heart still beats on': Young track star remembered for giving the gift of life
Not a day goes by when Scott and Amanda Cadman don’t think about their son Kirk.