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CLOSER LOOK: Firefighter who tried to cover up wife’s murder learns his fate

In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: Sentencing day for a shocking crime

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dogged reporters and editors.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering.

These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight's episode: Sentencing day for a 'cold, callous' killer.

James Schwalm was convinced he could pull it off. The now-disgraced fire captain truly believed he could murder his wife, Ashley, and make it look like she died in a terrible car crash.

Police in Collingwood quickly discovered the truth.

This week, Schwalm was handed his sentence: life behind bars with no chance of parole for 20 years. Inside the Barrie courtroom, Ashley's loved ones cried tears of relief.

SEE: Ex-firefighter sentenced to life without parole for at least 20 years in wife's murder

Ashley's murder shocked the community of Collingwood and generated headlines across the country. BarrieToday court reporter Peter Robinson has been covering the story and joins us tonight with the latest details.

You can read his previous coverage HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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