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Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

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Re: Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

#3
post #2

Curious how and why they were tracking this guy initially. It seems like this would be the most difficult crime to prove. Not against throwing the book at him if there is substantial proof.

> Maynard was identified after his car got stuck near a fire, court records say

It's in the article.

Re: Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

#4
Granted I live on the west coast and fires have been very much on my mind in the past few years, but I do wholeheartedly support the most draconian punishments for arsonists who start wild fires. It’s going to have to be a part of our climate changed future to deter criminals.

Re: Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

#5
Two points here:

- It's interesting how his academic background in criminology is in an area tangentially related to his own alleged social deviance -- maybe a "call of the void" type deal, in the sense that (anecdotally) some people who have a lifetime academic fixation on particular subject matter eventually reveal that it is somehow linked to their own deviant obsessions with it.

- It's also interesting how many law enforcement agencies there are embedded in the federal government, and how they basically have the same powers as one another. I recall surprise upon learning for the first time that the USPS has its own law enforcement agency back when Steve Bannon was arrested by postal inspectors last year, and am newly surprised to learn that the USFS has an equally well-equipped (in terms of warrant powers) police force.

Re: Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

#6
post #2

Curious how and why they were tracking this guy initially. It seems like this would be the most difficult crime to prove. Not against throwing the book at him if there is substantial proof.

The affidavit is pretty thorough, even before pulling his cell phone info.

"A Forest Service fire investigator determined the Cascade Fire was likely the result of arson. He also noticed that on a dirt road 150 to 200 yards from the fire, a man was struggling to free his car, a black Kia Soul, after the vehicle's rear had failed to clear a partially buried boulder."

If you're going to be a wildlands arsonist, best to find the proper vehicle.

Re: Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

#7

Two points here: - It's interesting how his academic background in criminology is in an area tangentially related to his own alleged social deviance -- maybe a "call of the void" type deal, in the sense that (anecdotally) some people who have a lifetime academic fixation on particular subject matter eventually reveal that it is somehow linked to their own deviant obsessions with it. - It's also interesting how many l…

Dont cross double yellow lines and speed passed any state fish and wildlife ranger either. A good number of state and federal officials are put in enforcement situations and without that authority would be severely lacking in fulfilling their jobs.

Re: Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

#8

Granted I live on the west coast and fires have been very much on my mind in the past few years, but I do wholeheartedly support the most draconian punishments for arsonists who start wild fires. It’s going to have to be a part of our climate changed future to deter criminals.

Do you also support draconian punishments for people and organizations who blocked controlled burns and other wildfire control measures?

Re: Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

#9

Granted I live on the west coast and fires have been very much on my mind in the past few years, but I do wholeheartedly support the most draconian punishments for arsonists who start wild fires. It’s going to have to be a part of our climate changed future to deter criminals.

Do you also support draconian punishments for people and organizations who blocked controlled burns and other wildfire control measures?

You trolling? You know that wasnt their intention and was disingenuous of you to play it that way.

Re: Former college professor accused of serial arson is denied bail in California

#10
Not the point of the story, but a college professor with three masters and a doctorate was enrolled in the EBT program. I'm sure people will doubt the use of several of his masters degrees, theater arts in particular, but that's still nuts.
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