{
  "id": 15958919,
  "title": "Suspect with lighter, torch arrested, released four days before accused charged with murder in fatal arson, trial told",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/suspect-with-lighter-torch-arrested-released-four-days-before-accused",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T22:09:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/10/21/suspect-with-lighter-torch-arrested-released-four-days-before-accused-charged-with-murder-in-fatal-arson-trial-told"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, a jury learned that a suspect was arrested four days before Alex Courchene was charged with murder in a fatal North End arson case. The arrested individual, a 22-year-old man, was found in possession of a black lighter and torch. He claimed he did not start the fire, and his comment was deemed unprovoked by his defence lawyer. The man admitted to using methamphetamine around 2:30 a.m. before his arrest. Four days prior, police received a tip regarding a possible suspect and arrested a different man in possession of similar items. Courchene, 30, was charged with arson and two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Zenabu Gula, 38, and Geda Wodisso, 49 on September 14, 2024.",
  "summary": "Four days before Alex Courchene was charged with murder for a North End blaze that killed two people, police arrested another suspect who was released that same day without charge, […]",
  "key_points": [
    "22-year-old man arrested with lighter and torch",
    "Man claimed he did not start the fatal fire",
    "Courchene charged with arson and two counts of murder"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}