MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — A homeless man accused of causing a fire that destroyed 11 homes in Ashland last summer is set to go to trial.
The Mail Tribune reported that 40-year-old John David Thiry is facing 10 counts of recklessly endangering and 14 counts of reckless burning for the Aug. 24 fire that caused more than $3 million in property damage.
Thiry has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which are misdemeanors. He also waived his right to a jury trial and Jackson County Circuit Judge Tim Barnack was scheduled to begin hearing the case Tuesday.
Ashland Fire Chief John Karns has said the fire in the Oak Knoll neighborhood was the biggest structure fire loss ever recorded in the city.
