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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Wildfire Suspect Charged in Heart Attack 'Murders'

Unusual case links arson to deaths

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(Newser) – California officials have taken the unusual step of charging a wildfire arson suspect with murder in the death of 5 people who suffered heart attacks escaping the flames. Prosecutors intend to prove the stress of the fire caused the deaths in the massive 2003 San Bernardino blaze. The groundbreaking case will be complicated by the fact that the victims had a history of heart disease, reports AP. The suspect is already in prison on a burglary conviction.

Flames roar up a hill in San Bernardino, Calif., earlier this month. A man suspected of setting a fire in the same area in 2003 has been charged with murder in connection with 5 heart attack deaths.
Flames roar up a hill in San Bernardino, Calif., earlier this month. A man suspected of setting a fire in the same area in 2003 has been charged with murder in connection with 5 heart attack deaths.   (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)
Flames roar up a hill in San Bernardino, Calif., earlier this month. A man suspected of setting a fire in the same area in 2003 has been charged with murder in connection with 5 heart attack deaths.
Flames roar up a hill in San Bernardino, Calif., earlier this month. A man suspected of setting a fire in the same area in 2003 has been charged with murder in connection with 5 heart attack deaths.   (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)
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4 comments
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DarkFrancis
Oct 23, 09 5:24 AM CDT
Fair enough. Arsonists get off way too easy. Reply
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Reader64481089
Oct 23, 09 6:37 AM CDT
Indeed they do
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SPH
Oct 23, 09 10:03 PM CDT
He is already in for burglary, the arson would make two...surely a third offense is doable....Avoid a prolonged trial with uncertain outcome and lock this ass up for the rest of his sorry life... Reply
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BlueAyez
Oct 24, 09 1:08 PM CDT
Newser doesn't say and they don't give a link but I'd like to know why the 6 year delay in charging the arsonist? Did they just find him/her, did they just figure out who did it? In other words was it circumstance or incompetence which caused the delay in charges? Reply
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