PRESTON, MN John Tuchek, the former Lanesboro police chief, was sentenced
Monday to six years in prison after his conviction in October on eight
counts of first-degree arson that destroyed three landmark downtown
buildings in April. District Judge James Fabian also ordered Tuchek, 35, of
Preston, Minn., to pay $700,000 in restitution. He also found Tuchek guilty
of a lesser charge of fifth-degree arson.
Investigators became suspicious of Tuchek because the day before the fire,
he broke up with a woman who lived in one of the buildings. He later
confessed, saying he had planned to rescue his ex-girlfriend in hopes of
winning her back, and resigned after he was charged. (background to the
story: http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=02/04/16/5898635)
During Tuchek's trial, defense attorney Marc Kurzman argued for acquittal
on the first-degree arson charges, saying Tuchek didn't intend to burn the
buildings, which housed a general store, an ice cream shop and apartments.
Kurzman said Tuchek lit only a small piece of cardboard in a trailer away
from the buildings, but that a spark from that piece ignited a pile of
cardboard leaning against the buildings, and the fire spread. After the
sentencing, defense attorney Kurzman filed a notice of appeal, but Judge
Fabian denied Tuchek release on bail.
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=02/12/17/9727681
