Sentencing In Metro PCS Arson Fire That Injured 7 Firefighters
DETROIT (WWJ) - Sentencing in a Detroit courtroom Tuesday for one of two men accused in an arson fire at a Metro PCS store that injured seven Detroit firefighters.
Thirty-one year-old, Samson Wright, of Detroit was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to malicious use of fire resulting in injury, announced U. S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.
Wright pleaded guilty on May 17, according to court records, to setting fire to a Metro PCS store in Detroit, along with co-defendant Calvin Jones.
Prosecutors were originally pushing for a 25-year sentence, but wanted to give Wright a break because he testified against a co-defendant, Calvin Jones.
Detroit firefighters responded to the scene during which the ceiling and roof of the second floor burned completely through and the second story wall of the structure collapsed.
The wall collapsed on seven firefighters who were attempting to fight the fire and force entry into the first floor of the buildings.
The fire, which happened in August of 2010 at a Metro PCS store on East Jefferson, left firefighter Brendan Milewski paralyzed from the waist down. He and three others were forced to retire due to their injuries.
Co-defendant Calvin Raymond Jones was convicted after a two-week trial in July. Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on November 30, 2011 where he faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
