Red Deer arson victim's family addresses accused

The mother of a young woman who died in a 2022 Red Deer arson fire offered forgiveness to the man who set the fatal blaze.

Raymond Richard was found guilty last month of manslaughter and committing arson with a reckless disregard for human life in connection with a March 31, 2022 house fire that claimed the life of Trinity Gouda, 21.

At Richard's sentencing hearing in Red Deer Court of King's Bench last Friday, Gouda's mother addressed him directly.

"I know Trinity would want me to extend forgiveness to you because that's the kind of person she was," the mother said to Richard in the prisoner's dock.

"The only good thing that can come out of this terrible situation is if you change your heart and your mind."

Trinity and her twin brother were adopted as six-year-olds.

She grew up to b