From the Las Vegas Sun:A trial will be delayed until October for a Las Vegas sandwich shop owner accused of arson in connection with an overnight fire that damaged his business and others in February in a downtown building.
Hans E. Aareskjold, 43, owner of the Strip Sandwich Shop, 603 S. Las Vegas Blvd., was to have had a trial starting next week on charges of burglary, first-degree arson, arson for insurance fraud and insurance fraud.
However, Judge Michael Villani has rescheduled it for Oct. 17, according to court records.
Aareskjold, who was arrested March 16, had been informed prior to the fire that he was being evicted by the landlord, according to a police report.
Authorities allege he was seen on surveillance video near the building several times prior to and immediately before the fire.
After a month of forensic investigation, investigators alleged Aareskjold was responsible for the Feb. 9 fire that damaged four businesses on the corner of Bonneville Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard: the Strip Sandwich Shop, Bingo Bail Bonds, Rescue Bail Bonds and Eichhorn & Hoo Attorneys at Law.
Officials said the roof of the 3,300-square-foot building caved in and caused extensive damage. Most interior contents were saved by firefighters, officials said.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/09/arson-trial-downtown-sandwich-shop-ower-delayed-un/
But, will Aareskjold receive a fair trial? A couple of months ago, the Wisconsin State Journal ran a series about how fire departments and District Attorney's have to rely on private investigators hired by the insurance companies.
From the WSJ: Virginia “Gina” Kreger and Jeremy Bergeron don’t know each other, but their stories read like chapters from the same book: House burns down. Suspicion focuses on homeowner. Insurance company investigates. Authorities pursue arson charges.
After the fires, the two southern Wisconsin homeowners saw their lives change dramatically as a result of investigations largely bankrolled by the companies that insured their properties — companies that could save hundreds of thousands of dollars if the fires were declared arsons.
A Wisconsin State Journal investigation in May raised questions about this common practice, which some critics say creates a conflict of interest for companies that benefit from not having to pay claims.
The newspaper examined the case of Joseph “Joey” Awe, who was convicted of burning down his Marquette County tavern for insurance money. Awe, of Friendship, maintains his innocence and questions the prosecutor’s reliance on experts who were paid by the insurance company.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_43a32032-33a0-5d4d-a2f4-175d0bdbc368.html#ixzz1UZ8LUYT0
I'm not sure how Clark County does things, though they did have 2 K-9 arson dogs, but they have retired.
I do not know the defendant in this case and he could very well be guilty. However, how fair is it when you have the insurance company investigating an arson case and they have a direct benefit if the person is found guilty?
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