First Presbyterian Church (left) and what remains of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church three months after a fire broke out at both churches. August 31, 2023.
A Douglas man has been convicted of burning two churches in the southern Arizona city’s historic Church Square. He now faces more than a century in prison for the hate crime.
The two buildings — St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church — were burned in May 2023. Prosecutors say Eric Ridenour targeted the churches because they were led by a gay man and a woman. He was found guilty Thursday of all six counts in the case, including arson and hate crimes.
There is video evidence of Ridenour buying charcoal lighter used in the fires, as well as him driving away from the smoking scenes.
"It’s sad to think that a man who represents himself as being a staunch, strict follower of the Bible can do something so evil," said Jury Foreman Glenn Hoffman.
Ridenour’s sentencing is set for October, and he faces up to 130 years in prison.
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