Yesterday when 20-year-old Caleb Lacey was convicted of setting a fire that killed a mother and three children, he tried to flee from the premises and was pushed to the ground by court officers, who yelled for quiet in the courtroom. The former-volunteer fireman was found guilty on four counts of murder while committing arson, as well as manslaughter and reckless endangerment.
Lacey allegedly started the Long Island blaze so that he could respond first and look like a hero in front to his fellow firefighters. As the forewoman announced the verdict, which could result in a sentence of 25 years to life, the courtroom erupted in chaos: people on both sides of the aisle were screaming and crying, according to the AP. Lacey reportedly lunged at the gallery after the verdict was read and the widow/father of the victims left the courtroom and collapsed. WABC 7 has video of reactions.
"We're extremely disappointed with the result," Lacey’s lawyer told Newsday. "This was a
circumstantial case. There was no direct evidence of Caleb starting this fire." The primary evidence against Lacey was gasoline found in the young man’s fire pants, but the defense pointed blame at Edit Vanegras, the husband and father of the fire’s victims, who escaped through a window while his near and dear burned to death.
The jury deliberated for five days before deciding on the verdict. "It's exactly the date that he burned them alive, and this is the date they found him guilty," said America Chavez, sister and aunt to the deceased. "It's not going to bring them back, but we're satisfied."
