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Hunters Brooke arson

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Hunters Brooke Arson
LocationCharles County, Maryland, U.S.
DateDecember 6, 2004
TargetHunters Brooke development
Attack type
Arson
PerpetratorsJeremy Parady, Aaron Speed, Patrick Walsh

The Hunters Brooke arson was a series of fires that destroyed over two dozen houses in the under-construction Hunters Brooke Development on Maryland Route 225, southeast of Indian Head, Maryland, in the United States, on December 6, 2004. It is considered to be the worst arson event in Maryland state history.

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Initially suspicion fell on environmental extremists, since the development was being constructed in an unusual and sensitive wetland area, a magnolia bog.[1]

However, it was ultimately determined that Patrick Walsh and Aaron Speed, a security guard for the Hunters Brooke Development, recruited three others to set fire to the homes as a hate crime. Three of the arsonists said they were motivated by the fact that the majority of the purchasers were African-Americans.[2][3]

Convicted and sentenced were:

The trial judge also ordered that each defendant pay restitution of $3,274,538.42.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ Barringer, Felicity; Dao, James; Olson, Elizabeth (8 December 2004). "100 Investigators Gather at Subdivision, Seeking Clues to Vast Arson". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  2. ^ FALSE - None of the individuals were EVER charged with a hate-crime, The 'racist' theory was one of several that were thrown about, and never definitively proven. Nice try though. Gately, Gary (29 April 2005). "Man Pleads Guilty to Arson Spree in Maryland". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  3. ^ Gately, Gary (6 October 2005). "Pall of Racism Remains Over Neighborhood Repaired After Arson". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  4. ^ "Three Charles County Subdivision Arson Defendants Sentenced" (Press release). United States Department of Justice. 5 December 2005.
  5. ^ "Jury convicts mastermind of $10M Maryland arson". USA Today. Associated Press. 2 September 2005.