Closing arguments wrapped up on Wednesday in the trial of Greg Imig and Amy Dewitt, the Anchorage couple accused of starting the 2015 Sockeye fire.
So far, in the nearly three week trial, the jury has heard from more than a dozen witnesses and seen hundreds of pieces of evidence.
As they prepare to begin deliberations, the attorneys on both sides of the trial are hoping that their final words to the jury stuck.
In the state’s last chance to make its case against Imig and DeWitt, prosecutor Eric Senta revisited the evidence.
“This case is about their recklessness in starting that fire, and the human and property cost of that recklessness,” Senta said.
The prosecution told the jury that they have undeniably been able to place the origin of the Sockeye Fire on Imig’s Willow property, and they say all signs point to the source being an unattended burn pile started by DeWitt.
The state said that their wildfire investigators gathered enough information to prove Imig and DeWitt are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
“This fire crept out from that fire pit, building in intensity, then it hits one single tree and it goes up, and from there it goes south. That’s what their conclusion is, that’s what the defendants say happened. That I submit to you solves the case,” Senta told the jury.
The prosecution went over in great detail the 12 charges Imig and DeWitt both face related to negligent burning, property damage, and reckless endangerment.
The defense hopes those charges wont stick, and stressed that the state did not prove it’s case against their clients.
“Regardless of the number of charges that you file, if the evidence isn’t there then the defendants are not guilty,” DeWitt’s attorney Philip Shanahan said.
The Sockeye fire burned 55 homes and killed several animals.
Imig’s attorney, Kevin Fitzgerald, began his closing arguments by reminding the jury that this is a criminal case and that their verdict should be based on facts, not emotion.
He once again pointed out flaws in what he calls a sloppy and biased investigation by the state.
The defense accuses the Division of Forestry of making bold conclusions without having a proper foundation.
“The explanation, the hypothesis described by the state is inconsistent with common sense, it’s inconsistent with the science behind wildland fire investigation and its inconsistent with the other evidence,” Fitzgerald told the jury.
The defense told the Jury that Imig and DeWitt should be acquitted on all charges, with the exception of Imig burning without a permit.
The post As closing arguments wrap up, jury to being deliberations in Sockeye trial appeared first on KTVA 11.
