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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.