Court grants arson suspect’s attorney more time

The attorney for suspected arsonist Wayne Allen Huntsman continues to ask the court for more time.

Huntsman, who is accused of starting last fall’s devastating King Fire near Pollock Pines, was in court Monday. The readiness and settlement hearing March 16 in El Dorado County Superior Court in Placerville has been continued to April 17. It’s possible a trial date could be set then.

Wayne Allen Huntsman

The defense on Monday told the court more time was needed to investigate matters pertaining to the case. The District Attorney’s Office is ready to proceed.

A grand jury handed down an indictment Dec. 3, accusing Huntsman of arson of forestland with five special allegations of arson with aggravating factors. This includes causing great bodily injury because a firefighter was hurt, and an enhancement because of the 12 houses and 68 outbuildings that were destroyed at a loss of $6.5 million.

Huntsman’s bail remains set at $10 million.

The fire took nearly one month to contain. It burned 97,717 acres northeast of Pollock Pines, mostly in the Eldorado National Forest.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report