The murder charges against two teenage boys who were allegedly responsible for starting a fire that resulted in the deaths of two firefighters in Porterville, California, were dismissed this week.
One of the two teenage boys, who were both 13 years old at the time of the fire, was found not to be responsible for any crimes. Accusations relating to aggravated arson against the second boy were found “to be true.” His sentence will be decided next month.
Due to both boys being minors, the ruling came from Tulare County Juvenile Justice Judge Hugo Loza, who felt there was insufficient evidence to connect the boys’ actions to the firefighters’ deaths, according to Supervising Deputy District Attorney John Sliney. Sliney disagreed with Loza’s ruling to dismiss the murder charges.
FIREFIGHTERS EXPOSED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS THROUGH PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
“We presented the evidence we needed to prove the charges,” Sliney told the Bakersfield Californian. “We disagree with the court’s ruling. We think it was legally and factually incorrect.”
The boy convicted of two counts of arson could face a juvenile sentence until he’s 25. However, Sliney said he would not be surprised if the boy does not face any time in custody, according to the Fresno Bee.
Porterville firefighters Capt. Ramon “Ray” Figueroa, 35, of Bakersfield, and Patrick Jones, 25, of Visalia, were killed in a fire at the Porterville library in February 2020. One of the boys, both unnamed, had lit a piece of paper on fire while inside the library. The boy then gave the paper to the other boy, which caused the flames to spread and ultimately led to the destruction of the library, prosecutors claimed.
Figueroa’s father held back tears while reading a statement Tuesday in response to the judge’s decision. “Yesterday was a disgraceful day having to witness the conduct of Judge Loza,” Ramon Figueroa said. “His demeanor showed that he was just interested in concluding the case quickly.”
Video footage of the fire showed the boys fleeing from the library, prosecutors added. Witnesses also claimed to see the boys fleeing the library.
The cause of death, which was asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation, was due to faulty breathing equipment, Loza said, according to the Bee, placing the legal responsibility on the equipment manufacturers rather than the teenage boys.
“It is absurd that the judge apparently found more fault on [the] part of the victims or their equipment than he placed on the minor who was responsible for lighting the fire,” Tulare District Attorney Tim Ward said in a statement. “We share the continued grief and frustration of the families in the judge’s decision not to hold these minors responsible in the loss of their family members, and the loss to the entire community of Porterville.”
Family members of the victims condemned the judge’s ruling during a press conference Tuesday.
“(Judge Hugo Loza) has insulted so many firefighters,” John Jones, the father of Patrick Jones, said during the press conference. “I hope his home doesn’t catch on fire.”
The families of the firefighters are suing several companies that provide firefighter equipment, alleging negligence wrongful death, and strict products liability design defect, according to the Bee.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Figueroa, who joined the Porterville Fire Department in 2007, is survived by two children, two parents, a brother, sister, stepbrothers, nieces, and nephews. Jones joined the department in 2017 and is survived by parents, a brother, a sister, and a fiancée, according to the outlet.
