Campers Charged for Colorado Fire

Two men from Alabama were arrested for their role in starting the Cold Springs Fire near Nederland in Colorado. Jimmy Suggs and Zackary Kuykendall were charged with fourth degree arson.

The sheriff's office said the men face felony arson because lives were endangered as a result of the fire. Fire investigators and detectives said they were able to determine that the fire started at an ad hoc campsite near the Peak to Peak Highway and Cold Springs Road. The fire from the campsite was not properly put out, and it continued to smolder because of the wind and the hot, dry weather.  Apparently, the men tried to put out the fire by putting dirt and rocks on top of it.

The wildfire destroyed eight homes, and a couple thousand people were forced to evacuate their homes. 200 firefighters were on the ground and 12 aircrafts fought to contain the fire.

The pair gave a television interview about the fire, and talked about camping in the area. They forgot to mention their role in causing the fire.

Comments from Allen:

Smoky Bear would be all over these guys.  What evidence did the police have that these two men were the ones who started the fire?

I looked a little further into this and found the following evidence:
1. The defendants were in the area when the fire broke out.  2. Burn patterns showed where the fire started.  3. Ramen noodles were found where the burn patterns began.  4. Suggs and Kuykendall admitted to eating Ramen noodles shortly before police contacted them.

As campers in the wild are more inclined to cook smores and hot dogs than Ramen noodles, the circumstantial evidence tying Suggs and Kuykendall to the initiation of this fire is pretty strong.

In addition, the investigators probably also have a statement from the female companion of the two. The State has made a decision not to charge Elizabeth Burdeshaw, who was with Suggs and Kuykendall the whole time.  Usually, such a break comes at the cost of telling everything you know about what your companions did at the campsite.

What did we learn from this series of events.  Your lawyer will usually tell you not to speak with police investigating a crime when you might be suspected of that crime, whether you are innocent or guilty.  When asked, your lawyer will also tell you not to give on-camera interviews at the scene of a crime when you might be suspected of committing that crime, because the camera crew will give their evidence to the police, who will charge you with the crime.  I say this not to help the guilty go free, but because many innocent people get charged with serious crimes because of how they word their responses to people asking what appear to be harmless questions.

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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.

Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.

Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents,truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.

Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.


Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.    
Sources for more information:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/2-arrested-for-arson-in-colorado-wildfire/

 http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/07/10/evacuations-wildfire-nederland-cold-springs/

http://heavy.com/news/2016/07/zackary-kuykendall-jimmy-suggs-elizabeth-burdeshaw-campers-arson-fire-set-cold-springs-fire-nederland-colorado-wildfire-arrested-arrest-camping-campfire-evacuated-homes-alabama-sex-offender-record/

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