A witness in an arson trial in Dauphin says he saw the accused walk past the house right before the fire, and says he saw one poke his head in the front door.
But that's drastically different than what he initially told police.
The witness was one of several people living in the house at the time of the fire, on August 31, 2013.
Court heard yesterday that he first told police he was out for a walk to get weed when it happened, but later changed his story, saying he was home and hid in the basement when the alleged attackers showed up.
When asked by the defence why he lied, the witness said he didn't want anyone to know he was hiding.
But the defence also pointed to inconsistencies in his second version of events, compared to the preliminary hearing, and at trial yesterday.
Court heard about an alleged incident before the fire, in which the witness says one of the two alleged arsonists came to the home in a van with a female. He told police he didn't know the names of these people, but yesterday said he knew one of their names. The witness said he didn't want to be labeled a snitch.
27-year-old Sean Nepinak and 25-year-old Seamus Nepinak are on trial for four counts of arson and one charge of participating in the activities of a criminal organization. Both have pleaded not guilty.
The trial continues.
Correction: This story has been edited for accuracy.
