Charges Against Videographer Dropped

Los Angeles County prosecutors announced Monday that they are dropping the remaining counts against a freelance videographer awaiting a retrial on charges of setting a 2002 wildfire in the Leona Valley so he could get exclusive footage.

Joshua Harville originally was jailed in lieu of $1 million bail but was freed after a jury acquitted him of five counts related to the blaze, which charred 5,100 acres. The jury deadlocked on two other arson-related charges.

Investigators said the Palmdale man made inconsistent statements during TV news interviews. Defense attorney Alan Baum said his client was telling the truth when he denied involvement.