Adrian Roks
Encyclopedia
Adrian Roks is a Canadian former business owner, currently serving a life sentence in Kingston Penitentiary
in connection with the Christmas Eve 2001 Woodbine Building Supply, Co. fire, which killed Tony Jarcevic and severely injured Sam Paskalis. Prior to his arrest, Roks owned two tanning salons with his wife. Roks was charged and convicted under article 229(c) of the criminal code
from statements made by three of the co-accused, Regaldo, McMaster, and Paskalis. Among those accused, Roks is the only person currently serving time.
in 2001, in what was one of the biggest fires in Toronto's history. More than 170 firefighters were required to bring the six-alarm blaze under control. Tony Jarcevic was killed in the blaze while Sam Paskalis was severely burned and disfigured, remaining in a coma for several months.
Investigators quickly concluded arson
to be the cause of the fire, suggesting that Paskalis and Jarcevic were caught in the conflagration due to their inexperience, when they prematurely ignited gasoline and other flammable substances.
, the president of Woodbine Building Supply at Danforth Avenue
and Woodbine Avenue, testified that he had no knowledge of Adrian Roks's involvement. Paskalis had previously been convicted of fraud and was out on bail during the Woodbine explosion. John “Sam” Paskalis had also allegedly burned down his own cottage, prior to the Woodbine fire, for insurances purposes.
Adrian Roks maintains his innocence and is currently appealing his conviction.
Until his conviction on June 11, 2007, Roks was under strict bail conditions. Roks was never found to have breached his bail conditions and worked steadily at both his tanning salon locations.
Kingston Penitentiary
Kingston Penitentiary is a maximum security prison located in Kingston, Ontario between King Street West and Lake Ontario....
in connection with the Christmas Eve 2001 Woodbine Building Supply, Co. fire, which killed Tony Jarcevic and severely injured Sam Paskalis. Prior to his arrest, Roks owned two tanning salons with his wife. Roks was charged and convicted under article 229(c) of the criminal code
Criminal Code
A criminal code is a document which compiles all, or a significant amount of, a particular jurisdiction's criminal law...
from statements made by three of the co-accused, Regaldo, McMaster, and Paskalis. Among those accused, Roks is the only person currently serving time.
Fire
Woodbine Building Supply was destroyed on Christmas EveChristmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
in 2001, in what was one of the biggest fires in Toronto's history. More than 170 firefighters were required to bring the six-alarm blaze under control. Tony Jarcevic was killed in the blaze while Sam Paskalis was severely burned and disfigured, remaining in a coma for several months.
Investigators quickly concluded arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
to be the cause of the fire, suggesting that Paskalis and Jarcevic were caught in the conflagration due to their inexperience, when they prematurely ignited gasoline and other flammable substances.
Trial
Roks was identified as a co-conspirator due of his relationship with all three of the other suspects, some of whom frequented the tanning salons he owned. John MagnoJohn Magno
John Magno is a Toronto businessman who is currently awaiting trial for arson, allegedly for insurance fraud....
, the president of Woodbine Building Supply at Danforth Avenue
Danforth Avenue
Danforth Avenue is an east-west arterial road in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its western end begins in Old Toronto from the Prince Edward Viaduct as a continuation of Bloor Street and continues through East York until intersecting with Kingston Road in Scarborough...
and Woodbine Avenue, testified that he had no knowledge of Adrian Roks's involvement. Paskalis had previously been convicted of fraud and was out on bail during the Woodbine explosion. John “Sam” Paskalis had also allegedly burned down his own cottage, prior to the Woodbine fire, for insurances purposes.
Adrian Roks maintains his innocence and is currently appealing his conviction.
Until his conviction on June 11, 2007, Roks was under strict bail conditions. Roks was never found to have breached his bail conditions and worked steadily at both his tanning salon locations.
External links
- http://www.thestar.com/article/205694
- http://www.thestar.com/News/article/205311
- http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=0f65e500-bab2-4aaa-a8f6-e161fe5e8244&k=53978
- http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/toronto/story.html?id=9f0ce4a5-6067-4009-8a9c-31c176f338a1
- http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=0a10b0e2-bd0d-4355-b091-83e2930a8a