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Spokane Arson Suspect Had History of Setting Fires, Prosecutors Say
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested in Spokane County, Washington, for allegedly starting a fire that destroyed nearly 700 buildings and causing evacuations of over 65,000 people.
- Farinacci admitted to planning the arson two weeks in advance and confessed to igniting about two dozen other fires since last year.
- Prosecutors have added four more arson charges to the initial first-degree arson count, which carries a potential life sentence upon conviction.
- Farinacci told detectives he researched convicted arsonist John Leonard Orr and created a device to start wildfires, choosing a day with ideal weather conditions under a red flag warning.
- During a court appearance, Farinacci’s lawyer requested a competency evaluation, and prosecutors successfully moved to increase his bond from $1 million to $2 million; Farinacci has not yet entered a plea.
