FORT COLLINS — Thomas Howie abruptly cut short his arson trial in Larimer County District Court on Thursday with a guilty plea.
The move came about midway through a scheduled four-day trial for Howie, accused of starting the 3,000-acre Crystal fire April 1. The fire started at 2394 Granite Road on property co-owned by Howie’s father. The fire forced the evacuation of more than 100 homes and burned 13.
Prosecutors argued that Howie was negligent in starting the fire in a meadow filled with dry grasses on a day when there were high-wind warnings in the area. Howie and a friend, Nathan Whitehead, tried to put out the blaze but later left the area and did not report the fire.
Howie’s attorney told jurors the fire his client started was essentially out before winds stoked it later April 1. Howie, however, stopped the proceedings Thursday and pleaded guilty to fourth-degree arson, a Class 4 felony. He faces two to four years in prison but is eligible for probation or community corrections. He will be sentenced Feb. 10.
Howie said Thursday he felt he had a moral obligation to take responsibility for the fire after he learned some people almost lost their lives to the blaze, according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan.
