Trial Of Accused Arsonist Facing Foreclosure Ends In Mistrial

In Marietta, Ohio, The Marietta Times reports:

• Alleged juror misconduct brought an abrupt end Friday to the trial of Newport man accused of having his own house burned down. Testimony in the trial, in which Willard Bush, 30, ... is accused of arranging to have his house torched to collect insurance money, ended on Thursday. Jurors deliberated into the evening before requesting a break that night. Deliberations resumed Friday, but the case ended in the afternoon with Common Pleas Judge Ed Lane declaring a mistrial. “We had a report that some information reached the jury room other than what was provided through the trial, and there was some concern that it might affect the jurors’ decision,” said Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings.

For more, see Mistrial declared in arson case (11-3-07).

In an earlier story published during the trial, The Marietta Times reported:

• Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings said it [was] suspicious that Bush bought insurance 10 days before the fire. Also, he said Bush lied on his insurance application, failing to report several past claims — including another house fire just four years earlier. Also, Rings said Bush failed to report he was facing foreclosure on the property.

For more, see Newport man’s trial out of home fire continues (11-1-07). foreclosure arson yak