Copeland v. People

Colorado's fourth degree arson statute provides that a person who "knowingly or recklessly starts or maintains a fire ... on his own property or that of another, and by so doing places another in danger of death or serious bodily injury" commits a felony. § 18-4-105, 6 C.R.S. (1999). We granted certiorari to determine whether the mens rea requirement of this statute applies to the phrase "and by so doing places another in danger of death or serious bodily injury." 1 We agree with the trial court and the court of appeals that it does not. Accordingly, we uphold the judgment of the court of…