State v. Troy

RICHARD C. DAVIDSON, District Judge:

Defendant appeals from his jury conviction of aggravated arson and insurance fraud, both second degree felonies. He claims that prosecutorial misconduct prejudiced the jury against him.

Shortly past noon on July 22, 1980, a vacant house in Salt Lake County exploded and burned. The house was owned by defendant and his exwife and was under court order to be sold, with the equity to be divided 65 percent to her and 35 percent to him. Until the house was sold, he was to make mortgage and other payments and to maintain the house. It was vacant at the time of the…