Recent Posts in Arson Category

In Ann Arbor, police say that they are still looking for the individuals who caused a series of fires.  It has been more than five weeks since fires have been set. 

At this time, police say that they do not have any suspects for the arson cases, which started in the beginning of 2010 and included several trash and car fires.  All of the fires occurred near student housing areas by the University of Michigan's Central Campus.

Recently, a spokesperson the University's Public Safety department said that that last fires occurred on April 17^th, when fours cars were set on fire within a 20 minute time span.   Days after the last round of fires, police announced that they had assembled a task force to investigate the arson cases.

Despite ongoing investigations, police say that they have no leads.  They are also still waiting on results from the crime laboratory for a house fire that occurred on April 3^rd.  That incident led to the tragic death of a 22 year University student.  At this time, a $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone who has information about the fires or who may have started the fires.

If you have been charged with a major crime, like arson, now is the time to discuss your options with a Michigan criminal defense lawyer.  Contact Freedman & Freedman today to get the defense you need.

A man who now lives in Memphis, Tennessee will be sentenced for arson after an Oakland County jury found him guilty of the offense.

Jason Richard Rose, 32, was charged with arson after setting his ex-girlfriend’s minivan on fire. The fire eventually spread to her house and a neighbor’s house, causing more than $60,000 in damages.

Rose apparently planned to scorch the victim’s vehicle as a form of revenge after she broke off their engagement. According to Ferndale Fire Marshall Brian Batten, Rose waited four months and then firebombed the car.

The victim, who lived in Ferndale at the time of the attack, has since moved out of the state out of fear of further retaliation.

Rose was actually sentenced to 14-40 years in prison for the offense, but the sentencing hearing was cut short and postponed until March 18 at the request of Rose’s defense attorney. Rose, who was out on bail, is now in the Oakland County jail following the conviction.

A man accused of murdering an 89-year-old woman and setting her house on fire has accepted a plea deal.

On February 22, Michael Bush, 26, will begin a 30 to 60 year prison sentence for the murder of Frances Cothern. Under a plea agreement, Bush pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Wayne County Circuit Court. The deal was reached just days before his case was set for trial. If he were convicted at trial he could have been sentenced to life in prison.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on November 18, 2008. According to police, Cothern was at her home in Van Buren Township when she was robbed and beaten by Bush. Bush then set her house on fire and fled the scene. Cothern passed away from injuries she sustained in the fire.

Bush’s case is an example of when accepting a plea bargain might be a better option than taking one’s chances in court. Had Bush gone to trial and been found guilty, it is very likely he would have been sentenced to life in prison for the crimes he committed. And although Bush will now spend 30 to 60 years in prison, there’s a better chance he won’t have to spend his entire life behind bars.

At the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman, we are committed to helping our clients secure the best possible outcome to their cases, whether that means accepting plea deal or taking a case to trial. If you have recently been arrested or charged with a crime and are looking for an experienced, hard working, and dedicated Michigan criminal defense attorney to represent you case, please  contact Freedman & Freedman today to arrange a consultation to discuss your case!