Court to probe mental health of arsonist in advance of sentencing

Alexander Dumyn was convicted of setting fire to an occupied house in Chilliwack in 2020

In the early hours of Oct. 25, 2020, Alexander Dumyn was at the Salvation Army on Yale Road in Chilliwack where he ordered a woman to let him into her car and drive him to the Circle K at Young Road and First Avenue.

Dumyn purchased a jerrycan and filled it with gas after which the woman, whom he knew, drove him to the corner of Charles Street and First Avenue.

That's where Dumyn went around back, doused the porch with gasoline and lit it on fire. Sleeping inside the small house was Cathy Dick and four other people, including three children.

Firefighters managed to get the family out and knock the fire down, but only after substantial damage was caused to the main floor.

Dumyn was arrested and charged with arson in relation to inhabited property and the case floundered for years for a number of reasons, not least of which was Dumyn's non-appearances prompting warrants for his arrest. The first warrant was issued on May 4, 2021 when he was wanted for a first appearance for the arson. He was arrested and did appear on May 21, 2021, but warrants had to be issued for non-appearances on June 11 and Sept. 21 in 2021, then on May 31, 2022 and again on what was supposed to be the first day of his trial on July 28, 2022.

Warrants were issued for Dumyn again on March 7, 2023 and Jan. 17, 2024. He was finally found guilty by Judge Kristen Mundstock on Aug. 6, 2024.

Dumyn was in court on Friday (Feb. 14, 2025) for his lawyer to make a number of applications in advance of sentencing. Dumyn was in the court wearing baggy jeans, a puffy light blue jacket, scruffy brown hair and beard. He shuffled his feet as he left the courtroom after the appearance.

Defence counsel Jayse Revely told Judge Mundstock about Dumyn's mental health issues, which include schizophrenia. He is currently living in a shelter.

Mundstock ordered a psychological report to assess his future risk specifically with respect to any diagnosis of mental illness. The case was put over to April 25, 2025 in the hopes that the psych report will be completed and a sentencing date can be scheduled.

No motive was ever offered for the fire, nor was it explained whether Dumyn knew Dick and/or other in the house or not.

Dumyn has no provincial criminal charges in British Columbia prior to this offence, according to Court Services Online.

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Paul J. Henderson
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