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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Man Who Tried To Firebomb LDS Chapels Found Innocent But Insane
Las Vegas NV Sun (AP) 17Mar00 D1
By Robert Macy: Associated Press
and
Insanity verdict entered for suspect in fires
Las Vegas NV Sun 17Mar00 D2
By Kim Smith
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- James Carbullido, who tried to firebomb more
than nine LDS chapels in the Las Vegas Valley starting in July, 1998
was found innocent by reason of insanity Thursday in a Las Vegas
court. According to testimony, Carbullido suffers from paranoid
schizophrenia, but prosecutors were unable to determine his motive
for trying to firebomb the LDS chapels. Fortunately, only three of
the devices ignited, and even those three were quickly extinguished.
"Thank God he was not proficient at constructing incendiary devices,"
said assistant U.S. attorney Thomas O'Connell. "People were inside
the churches when the devices were discovered. He was definitely
dangerous." Carbullido will be evaluated in a federal medical
facility, "He won't be released until it's determined he's no longer
dangerous," O'Connell said.
Carbullido left 'incendiary devices' at LDS chapels starting in July
1998 and continuing for a year, after which he began leaving Post-it
notes "with cryptic messages about the fires" on mail boxes and light
poles in downtown Las Vegas, according to O'Connell. Authorities were
able to check fingerprints on the notes and police were able to
identify Carbullido as a suspect.
Most of the incendiary devices were one gallon milk or water
containers filled with gasoline. They were either tossed in the
chapels or left in parking lots.
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