People v. Snell CA3

BACKGROUND

Around noon on August 2, 2024, the Redding Fire Department and the Redding Police Department responded to reports of a vegetation fire. Witnesses reported an adult male burning a fence and bushes with a torch. After police detained him, defendant admitted causing the fire by “ ‘playing and learning’ ” and “ ‘playing with fire.’ ” To enter the fenced property, defendant attempted to break through the metal chain on the fence by using a torch to heat the lock. Defendant then set the still-lit torch on the ground, igniting the grass. The fire damaged the plastic and wood privacy slats of the chain link fence and burned an approximately 50-foot by 20-foot area of vegetation. The chain holding the gate closed had numerous pry marks. Defendant filed a timely notice of appeal.

DISCUSSION

Defendant contends the trial court erred in imposing punishment for both recklessly causing a fire of forest land and vandalism because, according to him, the fire and the vandalism counts arose from the same course of conduct, heating the metal chain. We find that the multiple punishment was supported by substantial evidence defendant formed a separate intent and objective for each…