If you are facing Arson charges in Larimer, Boulder, or Jackson County, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. This is because Arson charges can result in a prison sentence and other life-changing consequences. Let’s take a look at a recent case in Fort Collins for an example.
Fort Collins Man Accused of Arson
Late last year, a beekeeper from Ft. Collins was convicted of Arson for a fire which took place in fall of 2011. The fire took place at an apartment complex: $10 million worth of damage was done and 21 lives were put in danger; people were sleeping in nearby apartments. As is common in Arson cases, the beekeeper was also charged with attempted Murder (for putting people’s lives in danger), Criminal Mischief (for the damage of property), and Burglary (unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime). Altogether, the man was facing up to 30 years in prison.
The Evidence of the Case and Support for the Beekeeper
The evidence in the case was scant – fire investigators found the man’s watch broken in half in the building, and he had bandages on his hand after the fire. He was a known supporter of the Occupy Fort Collins movement and the blaze took place a block away from their camp. There was a video of a hooded figure setting a fire, but it wasn’t clear enough to make identification. The evidence seemed to point in a different direction: A homeless man who was questioned even admitted to starting the fire. The case created an enormous buzz here in Fort Collins – supporters of the beekeeper flooded the courtroom and a film declaring his innocence was played in a local theater (watch the film below). This was the second trial for the alleged arsonist – the first trial ended in a hung jury.
Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
The beekeeper’s public defender said at a hearing that “sentencing an innocent person is not going to make things better.” Regardless, the beekeeper was convicted of Arson and sentenced to a concurrent sentence of 8 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. The beekeeper’s family and friends all firmly believe in his innocence and it is expected they will appeal the decision. This high profile case was fueled by emotion – the Occupy movement had clashed [pullquote align=”left” textalign=”left” width=”40%”]DA’s, judges, and juries are people and are swayed by the current opinion of the culture around them.[/pullquote]with owners of the burned apartment in the past. During the case, a police detective noticed the many supporters of the beekeeper flooding the courtroom and asked for firefighters and police officers to show up in court to counteract the Occupy movement’s support. Sometimes cases get out of hand: District Attorneys, judges, and juries are people, after all. They are swayed by the current opinion of the culture around them. This is why you need to work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer if you are facing Arson charges. You need someone who understands the importance of instructing the jury to enter a guilty verdict only if they believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. Here at the O’Malley Law Office, we carefully instruct the jury. We make sure they understand they cannot convict someone if they think they probably committed the crime. They must convict someone only if the evidence supports their decision. Don’t stand by yourself in the courtroom – work with an experienced attorney who can fight to protect you future and freedom.