Man acquitted on appeal after serving three years for 2021 Arakapas fire
A 69-year-old man convicted of starting the devastating 2021 Arakapas fire, which burned 55 square kilometers and killed four people, has been unanimously acquitted on appeal. The Court of Appeal overturned his eight-year sentence, citing insufficient evidence to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. He had already served three years in prison prior to the acquittal.
The original conviction was based on circumstantial evidence including the man’s presence near the fire’s origin, possession of two lighters, and his actions after the fire began. However, the appeal court found that the prosecution did not conclusively establish he started the fire, as the fire’s cause remained a possibility rather than a proven fact. The court also criticized the initial judgment for relying on speculation and not thoroughly examining the man’s knowledge about the fire when he left the area.
The higher court emphasized that being in the vicinity, having means to start a fire, and questionable behavior alone are insufficient to prove guilt. It reaffirmed the principle that guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the man’s acquittal on all charges related to the Arakapas fire.
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