Horry County Police investigation Arson in Loris
Horry County Police are investigating three house fires near Loris, South Carolina and currently believe it was arson. Arson is the malicious burning of dwelling house of another and can be a first degree felony, second degree felony or third degree felony. A solicitor must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.f
If a person is killed during the fire, the crime constitutes felony murder. A person is charged with felony murder when there is a homicide during the commission of the following state or federal crimes: burglary, arson, rape, robbery, kidnapping. Federal law also includes carjacking and terrorism. Even if the death is accidental, a defendant can be charged with manslaughter. If a person breaks in to a home and enters it to start a fire, the defendant would most likely be charged with burglary and arson.
The police in Loris are entertaining the possibility that the fires could have been started out of revenge, which is very common, or the fires could have been started by someone who is infatuated by fire. Local authorities are worried that someone may be injured if the fires continue in Loris.
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