I just reread what Badger said in 2012- that she actually saw the ashes in tbe mudroom and thought she should put them outside, but decided against it as unnecessary, because she'd seen Borcino run his hands over the ashes and believed they were cold. She also said that Borcino was not to blame, that she thought the fire was started by an electrical malfunction, not the ashes.
I'd also forgotten the very odd detail of the city's mayor and chief counsel being on the scene as the fire still burned, and that no one has ever been able to tell a straight story about who ordered the house torn down so quickly, and why the haste.
Definitely reeks. Follow the money? The city issued multiple building contracts to someone who wasn't licensed and who did sloppy work, an immense and very high profile tragedy followed, and a multi-million dollar lawsuit implicating Borcino is being pursued by Badger's ex-husband against the city.
IMO Borcino told the truth the first time around, that he put the ashes in the mudroom, but I'm thinking he likely suspected very early on that the ashes weren't what caused the fire.
ETA. The funeral for Madonna Badger's daughters was on January 5. Borcino would have the Court believe that just a few days after burying her babies, Badger had the wherewithal and bad intent to go on his computer and delete his project files. I'd be interested to know what he provided as the motivation for her to do that.