One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Suspected LA Serial Arsonist Pleads Not Guilty On 100 Counts, Bail Raised to $7.5 Million
Firefighters battle a carport blaze allegedly set by Burkhart on December 30, 2011 (Screenshot)
Suspected serial arsonist Harry Burkhart was in court today for arraignment on 100 criminal counts stemming from his alleged role in 49 arson fires that were set in Los Angeles during four nights in December and January. Burkhart pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, and found his bail raised from $2.85 million to $7.5 million, reports City News Service.
Today 63 additional charges were levied against Burkhart, who was previously charged with 37 criminal counts. Today's additional charges break down as 47 "counts of arson of property, along with 10 additional counts of arson of an inhabited structure and two counts each of arson of an uninhabited structure, attempt to burn and possession of flammable material."
Burkhart, who is now in the States on an expired visa, is due back in court March 1, when "a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial."
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
