Police Say Spokane Wildfire Suspect Confessed After Weeks of Planning

The Story in Brief

Aaron Farinacci confessed to starting Spokane’s Old Trails Fire after planning it for weeks, police said in a court filing. Investigators allege he researched weather conditions, selected a day with strong winds and made a time-delay ignition device using matches, paper, a cigarette and a rubber band.

The fire was among three in the Spokane area that burned more than 850 homes and forced tens of thousands of evacuations. A witness, Paul Child, told The Associated Press he saw Farinacci near the spot shortly before the blaze began. Farinacci faces a first-degree arson charge and is due in court for arraignment. His lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.

The Indian Opinion

Claims that one confession alone settles every question should be treated carefully, since the allegations will be tested in court. The opposite claim, that the damage was simply an unavoidable wildfire, also ignores the reported planning, device and witness account. Prosecutors must still prove intent, identity and the link to each loss. The first concrete test will be what evidence is admitted at arraignment and trial.

Source: indiatoday.in

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