Arson

Arson Charges Advance Against Two Kentucky Firefighters for Church Fire

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Williamstown, KY — Two firefighters are set to face a grand jury in Grant County on allegations of arson connected to a church fire earlier this month. This development comes after Judge Elizabeth Chandler confirmed there is probable cause to proceed with charges against the Corinth volunteer firefighters, identified as Brendan Gibson, 24, and Robert Hughes, 23. The case against the firefighters stems from an incident that occurred just before 6 a.m. on July 8, when authorities were alerted to a fire at Shiloh Full Gospel Church. The response team included units from Corinth, Williamstown, … Read more

Jury Deliberates as Man Self-Represents in Arizona Church Arson Trial, Citing Biblical Defense and Unfair Treatment

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TUCSON, Ariz. — The trial of Eric Ridenour, who stands accused of arson targeting two local churches, has reached a critical juncture as jurors commenced deliberations after days of dramatic courtroom testimonies and fervent closing arguments. Ridenour, representing himself in court, faced allegations of setting ablaze St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church in Douglas last year. Prosecutors aimed to cement his guilt with video evidence and eyewitness testimonials which suggested his presence at the crime scenes. Authorities recounted the sequence of events where surveillance footage purportedly captured a blue Pontiac Aztec, consistent with … Read more

Wrongful Incarceration Finally Ends: Brockton Settles for $3.75 Million in Arson Case

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Brockton, Massachusetts – The city of Brockton has agreed to pay $3.75 million to Frances Choy, a woman who spent 17 years in prison for a deadly arson she did not commit. Choy was wrongfully convicted as a teenager, while investigators overlooked her troubled cousin, Kenneth Choy, as the actual perpetrator of the April 2003 fire that claimed the lives of Frances Choy’s parents, Jimmy and Anne Choy. The settlement was confirmed by City Solicitor Megan Bridges during a city council committee meeting. Frances Choy’s attorney, John J. Barter, declined to comment on the case. … Read more

Former Firefighter Convicted of Arson in Dramatic Four-Day Trial

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POLSON, Montana – A former firefighter was found guilty of arson last Thursday after a four-day trial at the Lake County Courthouse. The verdict came after the jury reached a unanimous decision on two of the four charges against Craig McClure. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the other two counts. During the trial, Judge Robert Deschamps advised the jurors to collaborate and reiterated that they should not avoid their duty. After about five hours of deliberations, the jury unanimously determined that McClure was guilty of starting the Finley fire on … Read more