The man who set fire to a transitional housing building in Napanee, Ont. last August, leading to the death of well-loved local fixture Walter Lasher, was sentenced on Friday to seven years in prison.

Ontario Court of Justice Judge Geoffrey Griffin said a total sentence of nine-and-a-half years was appropriate, given Andrew Thompson's "serious and violent crimes," but gave him credit for pretrial custody largely spent triple-bunked and in lockdown.

The 32-year-old looked blank as his sentence was read out.

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Thompson was initially charged with first-degree murder for sparking the fatal Aug. 3, 2024 fire on John Street, but pleaded guilty in May to one count each of manslaughter and arson.

Lasher, a 67-year-old man, was a regular

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