State v. Heyden

Cacioppo, Judge.

On March 10, 1989, John Heyden, defendant-appellant, returned to his home, after running several errands, and noticed a strange smell in his house. Heyden believed the smell came from his damaged water heater. He drove to a pay telephone and called his insurance agent, who suggested that Heyden also telephone the fire department. When Heyden returned to his home, almost an hour later, the house was in flames.

After the fire was extinguished, investigators searched the home. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the fire was deliberately started. Investigators…