Hunters Brooke arson
Hunters Brooke Arson | |
---|---|
Location | Charles County, Maryland, U.S. |
Date | December 6, 2004 |
Target | Hunters Brooke development |
Attack type | Arson |
Perpetrators | Jeremy Parady, Aaron Speed, Patrick Walsh |
The Hunters Brooke arson was a series of fires that destroyed over two dozen houses in the under-construction Hunters Brooke Development on Maryland Route 225, southeast of Indian Head, Maryland, in the United States, on December 6, 2004. It is considered to be the worst arson event in Maryland state history.
Arsonists, motivation, and legal punishment
Initially suspicion fell on environmental extremists, since the development was being constructed in an unusual and sensitive wetland area, a magnolia bog.[1]
However, it was ultimately determined that Patrick Walsh and Aaron Speed, a
Convicted and sentenced were:
- Patrick Walsh, age 21, of conspiracy to commit arsonand 35 counts of arson.
- Aaron Speed, age 22, of conspiracy to commit arson.
- Jeremy Parady, age 21, of conspiracy to commit arson.
- Roy McCann, age 23, of conspiracy to commit arsonand 35 counts of arson.
- Michael Everhart, 21, of conspiracy to commit arsonand 35 counts of arson.
The trial judge also ordered that each defendant pay restitution of $3,274,538.42.[4][5]
References
- ^ Barringer, Felicity; Dao, James; Olson, Elizabeth (8 December 2004). "100 Investigators Gather at Subdivision, Seeking Clues to Vast Arson". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
- ^ FALSE - None of the individuals were EVER charged with a hate-crime, The 'racist' theory was one of several that were thrown about, and never definitively proven. Nice try though. Gately, Gary (29 April 2005). "Man Pleads Guilty to Arson Spree in Maryland". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
- ^ Gately, Gary (6 October 2005). "Pall of Racism Remains Over Neighborhood Repaired After Arson". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
- ^ "Three Charles County Subdivision Arson Defendants Sentenced" (Press release). United States Department of Justice. 5 December 2005.
- ^ "Jury convicts mastermind of $10M Maryland arson". USA Today. Associated Press. 2 September 2005.