HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Supreme Court reversed the conviction of a Hutchinson man who was found guilty on one of three aggravated arson charges.
Chase Coble was charged with three identically worded aggravated arson counts following a fire in his Hutchinson apartment. At trial, the State presented evidence intending to establish three separate incidents occurred. The jury acquitted Coble on all but one count. In a unanimous opinion, the Supreme Court held that due process concerns required it to reverse the sole conviction.
The court said the identically worded charges caused confusion for the jury about what incident to attach to each charge. In addition, appellate review of the conviction was hampered since it was also impossible for the Supreme Court to determine what incident the jury believed constituted aggravated arson.
District Attorney Tom Stanton said he will now look over the Supreme Court opinion and then decide what avenue his office can take. If Stanton feels no double jeopardy issue exists, then he could try Coble on the single count again. If not, then the whole case could be dismissed.
Coble was arrested after Hutchinson firefighters reported to a fire alarm at the apartment complex. Firefighters found the sprinkler system was shut off, and soot and charring was present in three areas. They also found chemicals, beakers, test tubes, and other laboratory equipment. Coble was found outside without a shirt and with extensive burns. Coble said the fire started after an experiment went wrong.