Man in San Bernardino Facing Death Penalty for Murder after Allegedly Setting Fire and Causing 5 Deaths

A San Bernardino man is on trial today in San Bernardino and is facing the death penalty on murder charges for allegedly setting a fire that resulted in the death of five people. The DA is attempting for the first time to obtain a first degree murder conviction and a death penalty finding in an arson case. Learn more about common arson defenses.

This is another example of how District Attorneys in our state are costing the taxpayers millions of dollars in seeking the death penalty under “new legal theories.” The City of San Bernardino has just filed for bankruptcy protection because they are broke. The San Bernardino DA’s office at the same time is spending millions of dollars in an attempt to obtain a death penalty verdict in a case that doesn’t come close to warranting the death penalty.

If the accused set this fire, then he is guilty of arson for sure and should be punished harshly. However, to “speculate” that somehow the defendant realized that people would die of a heart attack if he set a fire, is going way over the line.

IF the DA is successful in obtaining a death penalty verdict, that will only cost the taxpayers millions of dollars to house this man on death row for over 20 years. The fact is this man will never be executed because California just doesn’t execute many people. They sit on death row for 20 years or longer because the state of California cannot find appellate lawyers to take on death penalty appeals.

Since San Bernardino is struggling financially, it makes zero sense for this DA to be trying to convict this man for death penalty murder. In fact, California voters in November are going to wise up and are going to vote to abolish the death penalty.

The Wallin & Klarich team of criminal defense lawyers in San Bernardino have years of experience defending clients facing all types of criminal charges. A Southern California arson attorney from Wallin & Klarich can provide you with the legal guidance needed if you or a loved is accused of arson. Call us today at 888-749-0034