Boardwalk fire case goes to jury / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, May 10, 2007

May 10, 2007

Fate of Jason Rose now rests in the hands of the jury

The fate of a Lawrence man accused of setting the Boardwalk Apartment fire that claimed three lives is now in the hands of jurors. Enlarge video

The Boardwalk Fire and Trial

See complete coverage of the fire and trial

Prosecutors said Jason Rose's history with setting fires culminated in his starting the Boardwalk Apartments blaze in 2005. He even admitted to the crime, they said.

Rose's attorney said that the 21-year-old's history with fire is exaggerated and that there's no evidence he started the fire that killed three people. He confessed, he said, so investigators would leave him alone.

A Douglas County jury will now decide which version to believe as it continues deliberations today.

Attorneys on both sides made their closing statements Wednesday afternoon, putting the case in the jury's hands for about an hour before going home for the night.

Amy McGowan, assistant district attorney, said in closing remarks that Rose's confession reflected a pattern of lying, only to come clean later on.

"There's no threats, there's no coercion, there's no promises made to him," McGowan said of the interview.

Ron Evans, Rose's attorney, challenged some of the prosecution witnesses' testimony.

That included Emily Robinson, who testified she heard Rose say he planned to set a colossal fire, although Evans said that some witnesses to the conversation didn't recall Rose making such a statement.

Rose is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated arson and several battery charges.

In jury instructions, jurors were permitted to return a second-degree murder verdict if they believed Rose didn't plan to kill people when he set the fire but should have known it could result in deaths.

Or they can return an involuntary manslaughter verdict if they believe Rose recklessly set the fire but didn't know people could die from it.

Three people died in the fire: Kansas University student Nicole Bingham, electrician Jose Gonzalez and social worker Yolanda Riddle.

Discussion

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10 May 2007
at 3:37 p.m.

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mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…

“In jury instructions, jurors were permitted to return a second-degree murder verdict if they believed Rose didn't plan to kill people when he set the fire but should have known it could result in deaths.”

Well, that does it. I will predict—2nd degree murder, 147 months incarceration.
10 May 2007
at 4:31 p.m.

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Aiko (Anonymous) says…

I predict less time in jail……
11 May 2007
at 2:11 a.m.

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TheGoldenBoy (Anonymous) says…

Even is Rose is aquitted, I don't want him living anywhere near me ever! I mean it-I'll call the police!
11 May 2007
at 11:56 a.m.

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midge (Anonymous) says…

If he is acquitted, he can live where ever he wants because that will be he is not guilty. The police won't make him leave. In fact, if they find that you are harrassing him, you could be charged with a crime.