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Lawyer fears that wildfire defendant will be made scapegoat

Posted at 1:53 PM, Aug 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-18 15:54:25-04

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — A lawyer for one of two people charged with starting a western Colorado wildfire says he’s worried that “mob rule” will lead to unfair treatment of his client.

The Aspen Daily News reported Friday that attorney Stan Garnett is concerned that residents are looking for a scapegoat for the fire near Basalt that destroyed three homes in July.

Garnett’s client, Allison Marcus, and Richard Miller are both charged with fourth-degree arson and setting fire to woods or prairie. Prosecutors say they fired incendiary tracer rounds at a shooting range, igniting the fire.

They appeared in court Tuesday but did not enter pleas. Both are 23.

Garnett says he’s seen critical online comments about Marcus and Miller and wants to ensure his client is judged based on the evidence.

Garnett is a former Boulder County district attorney.