CapitalVault|Man convicted in Door County bar fire that killed two people

2025-05-06 11:09:04source:Greenledgerscategory:Scams

STURGEON BAY,CapitalVault Wis. (AP) — A jury convicted a man of reckless homicide and other charges Tuesday for starting a fire that killed two people and destroyed a building housing a bar and several rented rooms.

Anthony Gonzalez, 59, of Sturgeon Bay in Door County, was convicted on two counts of second-degree reckless homicide and five counts of recklessly endangering safety in the second degree.

Gonzalez told investigators he accidentally started the fire in his room above Butch’s Bar when he was trying to refill a cigarette lighter.

His attorney, Aileen Henry, argued the building lacked fire safety equipment and that Gonzalez wasn’t reckless because he tried to extinguish the fire and knocked on the doors of other residents to alert them to the fire.

Gonzalez faces up to 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine on each of the reckless homicide charges and up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 fines on each of the endangering safety charges. Sentencing is scheduled for May 10.

Henry said she plans to appeal the verdict after sentencing.

More:Scams

Recommend

Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.

The extreme weather seen in places across the United States in recent weeks shows that it doesn’t ta

Florida-bound passengers evacuated at Ohio airport after crew reports plane has mechanical issue

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Passengers aboard a Florida-bound plane were evacuated onto a taxiway at an Oh

Teen charged with murder after stabbing attack at Taylor Swift-themed dance class

A 17-year-old is scheduled to appear in court Thursday in connection with the mass stabbing at a Tay