LITTLE ROCK — Developer Aaron Jones will begin presenting his defense when his federal arson trial resumes at 10 a.m. Monday before U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller in Little Rock.
Prosecutors rested their case unexpectedly early Friday afternoon after presenting testimony from a forensic fire investigator. The trial that began Monday was originally expected to last three weeks, but now is likely to end sometime next week.
Jones, 34, a real estate developer and lawyer, is charged with three counts of mail fraud and one charge of using fire in the commission of a federal felony, in connection with a fire early May 30, 2008, at his 5,700-square-foot homeat 43 Chenal Circle in Little Rock.
Prosecutors say Jones set the fire himself in an attempt to collect insurance money as financial woes descended on him.
He contends intruders broke into the house, bound him with duct tape and ignited buckets of diesel fuel they dumped throughout the house. His attorney claims Jones was not having a financial crisis at the time.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 09/25/2010