| Man found guilty in arson case; faces sentencing |
| By Stephen Palkot | Tuesday, February 12, 2008 3:10 PM CST |
|
| A Needville man who admitted to setting a house on fire five years ago when he was 16 years old and in the midst of a spat with a former girlfriend will be facing a jury for punishment this week.
The defendant, 21-year-old Jonathan Marcel Silva, has been certified to stand trial as an adult and faces a second-degree felony charge of arson of a habitation, which can be punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Silva admitted to setting a $200,000 Greatwood home on fire on Dec. 28, 2002, but prosecutors and his defense lawyer have not agreed on a punishment for the crime.
Assistant District Attorney Mike Elliott will be prosecuting the case this week, and he is expected to argue that not only did Silva's action cause extensive property damage but that Silva started the fire believing his former girlfriend was in the house.
Representing Silva will be Steve “Rocket Rosen,” the Houston-based attorney who also happens be representing the teen accused of setting Needville High School on fire as a juvenile last April.
The trial will take place in the 400th District Court of Judge Clifford Vacek.
|
