On the night of July 20, 2002, a young Squamish resident made a decision that led this week to a judge ordering the convicted youth to do 100 hours community work service and two years of probation.
The youth, who was 15 at the time of the incident, was also given a two-year firearm prohibition and ordered to go through six months intensive support and supervision.
The name of the convicted boy can not be revealed because federal law protects his identity.
The sentence was handed down after the youth was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death relating to the snowmobile tragedy that led to Josh Chapman dying after suffering severe burns.
Chapman rode his snowmobile through a wall of flames during a party in the Squamish Business Park. A video production team was at the party and cameras rolled while Chapman performed the stunt. No special emergency or safety measures were put in place before the stunt.
Chapman was not wearing protective gear for the stunt.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the youth threw fuel at Chapman as the snowmobile reached the firewall.
One other person was charged in connection with Chapman's death. Jeremy Walter Deichen was also charged with criminal negligence causing death and he was ordered to stand trial last month following a preliminary inquiry. The trial date is not set; however, on June 16 a hearing is scheduled in B.C. Supreme Court to pick dates for Deichen's trial.
The criminal trial isn't the only court action pending against Deichen. Chapman's family has launched a civil lawsuit against the filmmaker.
Deichen's company, Loaded Gun Productions, produces videos that feature wild and sometimes dangerous stunts. Chapman's family alleges that the defendant's actions were motivated by the public sale of the video that was being created.
