Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Sunday
Man Accused of Starting Arizona Wildfire Appears in Court
Aired June 30, 2002 - 17:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A man accused of starting one of those huge Arizona blazes appeared in court today. Leonard Gregg could face 10 years in prison if convicted.
CBS' David Mattingly is in Show Low, Arizona and he has the latest -- hi there, David.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.
The arrest of a part-time firefighter here in Arizona is really hitting home among the ranks of firefighters out on the line. 29- year-old Leonard Gregg is in jail, accused of setting fifes on the Apache reservation. That happened on June 18.
Authorities say he did it in hopes of getting hired to fight the fire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL CHARLTON, U.S. ATTORNEY: The maximum penalties and charges for these offenses are five years incarceration and a $250,000 fine for each charge and restitution is owing for all losses.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: The alleged acts of arson burned out of control and merged with the Chediski fire. Now, 12 days, 450 million acres and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage later, the fire is only 35 percent contained. The fact that it was started by a firefighter, even a part-time one, is really an emotional burden to bear for the men and women on the front line.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM PAXON, FIRE INFORMATION OFFICER: It's gut wrenching. There's no doubt it causes a lot of angst and heartburn and some questioning, you know? And I would say that if we would reflect there's good and bad in every element of society, including firefighters.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: Now, Fredricka, emotions here in Arizona are very similar to those in Colorado, where a Forest Service employee is blamed for the starting of the Hayman fire. For now, here, Leonard Gregg remains in jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday.
WHITFIELD: And, David, what details are emerging as to how he allegedly started this fire?
MATTINGLY: They are not giving out those details. The prosecutor today was very careful in what he would say. He literally was only able to say that what happened in court today, that he is accused and what he is charged with. The details will be coming later.
WHITFIELD: And how are efforts coming along in containing the blaze as of yet?
MATTINGLY: The fire is still threatening one community to the west of here. Firefighters, however, are confident that the work that we're doing will prevent that fire from reaching any more homes. Already hundreds of homes have been burned so the fact that they are that confident is, indeed, good news.
WHITFIELD: All right, David Mattingly from Show Low, Arizona, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
