United States · All cities in Crime & Law
United States · Douglas, ArizonaTwo historic churches burned on Church Square
A federal jury convicted a Douglas man after fires at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church in May 2023.
Timeline
- May 2023: Fires damage two churches on Church Square.
- After trial: A jury convicts the defendant and the federal court imposes more than 36 years in prison.
What the records show
The Justice Department said the attacks grew out of hostility to the churches’ acceptance of women and LGBTQ people in leadership. A federal court imposed more than 36 years in prison after convictions that included arson and religious hate crimes.
How to read the evidence
The case records two affected buildings and a court outcome. A citywide measure of church arson would need incident-level fire records with cause determinations. A reconstruction cost would require a separate record from the owners, insurers or public authorities.