Arsonist FA RELEASED on bail. ***, Over?
06-05-2008, 08:39 PM
#1
Chief Jeppesen Updater
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Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Arsonist FA RELEASED on bail. ***, Over?
I can't believe that some judge let this guy out. Either the judge is completely clueless or the prosecutor did one hell of a crappy job arguing his case. Either way, it's a shame since he'll probably flee again.
Went to Mexico on "vacation" my ****...
Flight attendant pleads not guilty to plane fire
By DAVE KOLPACK, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
FARGO, N.D. - A flight attendant who pleaded not guilty Thursday to setting a bathroom fire aboard a jet was also on a plane whose lavatory caught fire about five weeks earlier, a federal prosecutor said.
In both cases, 19-year-old Eder Rojas helped put out the fire, Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Reisenauer said.
Rojas entered his not-guilty plea in the May 7 Compass Airlines flight that landed in Fargo and was released to the custody of his father, Juan Rojas, who lives in Chicago. Reisenauer mentioned the earlier fire — which was aboard a flight that had to land in Wisconsin and is still being investigated — as he argued for the suspect's detention.
"It seems to be quite a coincidence that Mr. Rojas happened to be on that particular flight," Reisenauer said.
Rojas, of Woodbury, Minn., appeared in federal court in Fargo, where the May flight from Minneapolis to Saskatchewan was forced to land. He is charged with knowingly and willfully setting fire to an aircraft.
Prosecutors wanted Rojas to remain in jail, calling him a flight risk and a danger to the community. U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Klein said the government could not prove its case for keeping Rojas confined.
"I am going to cut you a break in this case and release you to your father's custody," Klein said, also noting that she could not consider the previous fire in her decision.
"Clearly the court cannot jump to the conclusion that you were involved in that incident," the judge told Rojas.
Authorities said Rojas used a lighter to set fire to paper towels in the plane's bathroom because he was upset about having to work the route from Minneapolis to Regina. No injuries were reported among the 72 passengers and four crew members.
Compass is a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines, which fired Rojas after he was arrested.
Trial is scheduled for July 21. Rojas faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He may be ordered to pay restitution for damage to the plane.
In arguing for detention, Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Reisenauer said the seriousness of the case shows that Rojas is a dangerous person. Reisenauer said Rojas is a greater flight risk because he's a Mexican citizen.
Defense attorney Steven Light said his client traveled to Mexico on vacation while the case was being investigated and came back when he knew he was a suspect. Rojas has a stable family in Chicago, Light said.
"I have no doubt whatsoever that he will return to answer these charges," Light said.
Reisenauer and Light declined to comment further after Thursday's hearing.
Went to Mexico on "vacation" my ****...
Flight attendant pleads not guilty to plane fire
By DAVE KOLPACK, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
FARGO, N.D. - A flight attendant who pleaded not guilty Thursday to setting a bathroom fire aboard a jet was also on a plane whose lavatory caught fire about five weeks earlier, a federal prosecutor said.
In both cases, 19-year-old Eder Rojas helped put out the fire, Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Reisenauer said.
Rojas entered his not-guilty plea in the May 7 Compass Airlines flight that landed in Fargo and was released to the custody of his father, Juan Rojas, who lives in Chicago. Reisenauer mentioned the earlier fire — which was aboard a flight that had to land in Wisconsin and is still being investigated — as he argued for the suspect's detention.
"It seems to be quite a coincidence that Mr. Rojas happened to be on that particular flight," Reisenauer said.
Rojas, of Woodbury, Minn., appeared in federal court in Fargo, where the May flight from Minneapolis to Saskatchewan was forced to land. He is charged with knowingly and willfully setting fire to an aircraft.
Prosecutors wanted Rojas to remain in jail, calling him a flight risk and a danger to the community. U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Klein said the government could not prove its case for keeping Rojas confined.
"I am going to cut you a break in this case and release you to your father's custody," Klein said, also noting that she could not consider the previous fire in her decision.
"Clearly the court cannot jump to the conclusion that you were involved in that incident," the judge told Rojas.
Authorities said Rojas used a lighter to set fire to paper towels in the plane's bathroom because he was upset about having to work the route from Minneapolis to Regina. No injuries were reported among the 72 passengers and four crew members.
Compass is a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines, which fired Rojas after he was arrested.
Trial is scheduled for July 21. Rojas faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He may be ordered to pay restitution for damage to the plane.
In arguing for detention, Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Reisenauer said the seriousness of the case shows that Rojas is a dangerous person. Reisenauer said Rojas is a greater flight risk because he's a Mexican citizen.
Defense attorney Steven Light said his client traveled to Mexico on vacation while the case was being investigated and came back when he knew he was a suspect. Rojas has a stable family in Chicago, Light said.
"I have no doubt whatsoever that he will return to answer these charges," Light said.
Reisenauer and Light declined to comment further after Thursday's hearing.
06-05-2008, 08:49 PM
#2
Asphalt Cowboy
Joined APC: Dec 2006
Position: Shotty!!
Posts: 248
If his defense attorney is the Steven Light I'm thinking of, I took a government class from him freshman year. He's a real smart guy and I don't doubt damn good lawyer so maybe that's how this guy got released?
Let's just hope he drives up to Fargo for his trial in July.
Let's just hope he drives up to Fargo for his trial in July.
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