FORT COLLINS, Colo.—A man on trial for starting a blaze near Fort Collins last April cut short his own trial by pleading guilty after testimony from witnesses who described how close they came to dying.
The Coloradoan reports ( ) that Thomas Howie pleaded guilty to a single count of felony arson Wednesday, the second day of his trial.
Howie said he felt a moral obligation to take responsibility for what happened in the Crystal Fire, which destroyed ’13 homes and structures.
Howie is still facing a civil lawsuit from homeowners in the area. They declined to comment following his plea, citing their ongoing lawsuit, scheduled for trial in August.
Howie is due to be sentenced Feb. 10. He remains free on bond.
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Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan,
