People v. Heffron

Defendant was convicted by a jury of burning a dwelling house, MCL 750.72; MSA 28.267, and conspiracy to burn a dwelling house, MCL 750.157a; MSA 28.354(1). Following these convictions, defendant pled guilty to being an habitual offender, second offense, MCL 769.10; MSA 28.1082. Defendant was sentenced to IV2 to 30 years imprisonment. Defendant now appeals as of right.

Defendant’s house burned down on February 24, 1985, while defendant and his wife and children were away on a vacation. Responding fire fighters were suspicious that the fire had been deliberately set. Several days later, Bennett…