(Dreamstime)

By Sheldon Spackman

June 2021 Incident

Two sentenced in fatal County of Wetaskiwin fire

Mar 19, 2024 | 4:20 PM

Sentencing has taken place for two people charged in a fatal fire in the County of Wetaskiwin over two-and-a-half years ago.

Linden Joseph Lee Buffalo, 34, of Maskwacis, and Donovan Curtis Lightning, 31, of Wetaskiwin, were sentenced in Wetaskiwin Court of King’s Bench on March 18, 2024.

Buffalo was sentenced to 18 months in jail, three years probation, and a firearms prohibition after being convicted on one count of manslaughter. He was found not guilty, however on one count of arson-disregard for human life-reckless, occupied property.

Lightning, meantime, was sentenced to one year in jail, three years probation, and a firearm prohibition after being convicted on one count of manslaughter and one of arson-disregard for human life-reckless, occupied property.

A third individual charged, Jake Ernest Lee Green, 39, of Maskwacis, was found not guilty of second-degree murder, and arson-disregard for human life, in Wetaskiwin Court of King’s Bench on Oct. 6, 2023, and ordered for discharge. The decision followed a September jury trial held in Wetaskiwin.

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It was on June 23, 2021, just after 7:30 a.m., when Wetaskiwin RCMP were called to a structure fire on a rural property in the Usona district of the County of Wetaskiwin.

The RCMP Major Crimes Unit responded and on June 24, 2021, human remains were located at the property. Mounties say an autopsy was completed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton on June 25, 2021.

Buffalo and Lightning were charged with the murder of Clifford Stauffer, and arson with disregard for human life.

Related: Sentencing scheduled for pair charged in County of Wetaskiwin fatal fire

Related: Man charged in fatal fire found not guilty

Related: Jury trial scheduled for all three accused in County of Wetaskiwin fatal fire

Related: RCMP Major Crimes Unit lays charges in murder, arson investigation

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