FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case # 18CF0326
Date: January 30, 2018
MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ARSON FOR SETTING FIRE TO TENT WITH HOMELESS MAN AND WOMAN INSIDE
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged with attempted murder and arson for setting fire to a tent with a homeless man and woman inside in Santa Ana.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
James Anthony Lawlor, 35, Santa Ana |
Charged on Jan. 26, 2018, with the following felony counts:
Sentencing Enhancements
|
Seven years to life in state prison |
Continued arraignment
Feb. 6, 2018, 8:30 a.m.
Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana |
Circumstances of the Case
- At the time of the crime, John Doe and Jane Doe lived in a tent near the defendant’s residence in Santa Ana.
- At approximately 8:20 a.m. on Jan. 19, 2018, Lawlor is accused of confronting John Doe outside of his tent and kicking the victim in the face.
- The defendant is accused of driving away in his truck and returning to the victims’ tent a short time later with a red gasoline can.
- Lawlor is further accused of pouring gasoline on John Doe and Jane Doe’s tent and lighting it on fire while both the victims were inside. The defendant is accused of then fleeing the scene.
- Santa Ana Police Department, who investigated this case, arrested Lawlor on Jan. 25, 2018.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Nichols, Special Prosecutions Unit