Naked pensioner guilty of setting college fire
Tuesday, November 6, 2001
An 81-year-old Canadian woman who appeared in court naked has been found guilty of setting a college on fire.

Mary Braun is one of the last active members of the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor sect.

They believe stripping naked and burning possessions renounces material values and is spiritually cleansing. They often disrobe during court proceedings.

She refused to wear clothes throughout the trial at the British Columbia Supreme Court, although she was covered by a blanket at times.

Braun pleaded not guilty but was convicted of setting a fire that destroyed a college building. She is to be sentenced at a later date.

Her lawyer Ken Wyllie said his client admitted setting the fire at Selkirk College satellite school in Crescent Valley, British Columbia.

He argued the fire was only intended to be a "symbolic gesture", but got out of control because of a chemical put there by someone else.

Canoe reports Braun has appeared naked in court many times over the years on arson, contempt and mischief charges.

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