Man accused of starting fire in house where woman found dead granted bail

The man accused of starting a fire at a house where the body of Crystal Louise Mcfadyen, who was eight months pregnant, was subsequently found has been granted bail.

Judge Shannon Metivier made the decision Thursday to release Jonathan Alexander Rosenthal, 39, on a $5,000 cash recognizance following Tuesday’s hearing in Saskatoon provincial court.

The details presented at the bail hearing are subject to a publication ban.

While out of custody, Rosenthal must report to a bail supervisor, live at a home on Kirkpatrick Crescent in Saskatoon’s Dundonald neighbourhood, not change his address and abide by a curfew of 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.

He is prohibited from owning weapons or applying for a passport.

Rosenthal cannot contact any of Mcfadyen’s family members and cannot be in a two-block radius of Mcfadyen’s home.

He faces a charge of arson with disregard for human life in connection with a house fire in the 200 block of Avenue F North on July 6. After fire crews got the situation under control, they searched the home and found Mcfadyen’s body.

Police say the victim and accused were known to each other. They have ruled Mcfadyen’s death a homicide but have not said how she died. At this point, according to police, Rosenthal is considered a person of interest while the investigation continues.

Rosenthal’s next court appearance is set for September.