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Arson Suspect Denied Bond

A federal judge has ordered Detroit arson suspect Samson Wright to remain locked up while prosecutors build their case. The judge said it would be too risky to release the man who is accused of setting the fire that injured several firefighters.  

WWJ and FOX 2 legal analyst Charlie Langton says a conviction on federal charges could bring a significant prison sentence.

"In the federal system, if he is convicted of these charges, he could spend between seven to forty years in prison. As opposed to if he is tried in the state system for these charges, he would only face up to ten years," Langton said.

"So, the government has a big interest in seeing this guy, not only prosecuted, but convicted in the federal system," he said.

Langton said he thinks there will be a lot more to this case, as details unfold.

"There will be an indictment, and I expect more people will be involved in this. I expect more charges, because this crime was not done by one person," he said.

Investigators said Wright was part of an arson-for-hire plot, setting the blaze than injured seven Detroit firefighters.  The burned building had housed several businesses.

 (Copyright 2010 WWJ Radio.  All Rights Reserved.)

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