On August 13, 2001, a fire erupted at Prosser High School in Prosser, Washington, causing more than $500,000 in damage. The fire began in the teacher's lounge and caused smoke damage throughout the school.
Gabriel Baddeley, a 19-year-old former student who had a reputation as a troublemaker, came under suspicion when he told a friend that he had been in the school the night before the fire broke out. Baddeley had been suspended the previous spring but was eligible to return in the fall when classes resumed,
About 16 hours after the fire was extinguished, police brought Baddeley in for questioning. Baddeley had fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, a disability that made him highly suggestible. With coaching by the police, Baddeley falsely confessed to the crime. Although he recanted the confession almost immediately, police charged him with arson on August 16, 2001.
In March 2002, after Baddeley was examined and declared competent to stand trial, he pled guilty to arson. He was sentenced to two months in jail, 180 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $650,000 in restitution.
In 2004, a woman who was in therapy admitted to police that she had set the fire. The woman provided details corroborating her story.
On March 31, 2004, a judge granted the prosecution's motion to vacate Baddeley's conviction and dismiss his case.
– Stephanie Denzel
Posting Date: 08-29-2011
Last Update Date: 03-12-2014
