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Alleged Arson Spree Suspect Burkhart Will Face 100 Criminal Counts for Role in 49 Fires
Harry Burkhart being detained Monday, January 2, 2012 (Screenshot)
As expected, the charges against suspected arsonist Harry Burkhart are continuing to mount, as today prosecutors are expected to add a whopping 63 additional criminal counts to the 37 counts Burkhart already faces. That brings the total of criminal counts Burkhart currently will face up to 100 for his suspected role in 49 fires deliberately set in Hollywood, West Hollywood, North Hollywood and Burbank around New Year's.
Burkhart, 24, was initially scheduled for arraignment this morning, however with the numerous additional charges, he is expected in court early this afternoon, according to City News Service.
The fires gripped Los Angeles for four nights from December 30 and January 2. It is believed Burkhart, who has a documented history of mental instability, acted out of rage because of his mother's expected extradition to their native Germany, where she faces numerous criminal charges. The day before the fires began, Harry Burkhart let loose with a troubled rant peppered with obscenities as a hearing for his mother, Dorothee, came to an end. That outburst put Burkhart on the authorities' radar.
In the arson cases, prosecutors say Burkart became better and better at setting the fires as the spree went on. He was arrested early in the morning of January 2.
Burkhart remains held in lieu of bail, has surrendered his passport, and is here on a visa that expired January 18.
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