GLENDALE : Fire Captain’s Book to Be Used in Arson Trial
An appeals court has ruled that federal prosecutors may use a key piece of evidence in their arson case against former Glendale Fire Capt. John L. Orr: his unpublished novel about a firefighter who intentionally sets fires.
The decision, issued by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, clears the way for Orr to stand trial on charges of setting, or trying to set, eight retail store fires in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties. The ruling reverses an April decision by U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie barring use of the manuscript and related letters to Orr’s literary agent.
No trial date has been set, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Stefan Stein.
Orr was convicted July 31 of setting fires in Tulare and Bakersfield while driving home from an arson investigators conference in Fresno. He faces up to 30 years in prison case when he is sentenced Oct. 19.
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