Barton Pleads Guilty In Hayman Fire Case
Sentencing Set For Feb. 21
POSTED: 5:54 a.m. MST December 6, 2002
UPDATED: 9:38 a.m. MST December 7, 2002
DENVER -- A fired Forest Service worker pleaded guilty Friday to setting fire in the Pike National Forest and lying to investigators, but she was not immediately sentenced.
Terry Lynn Barton, 38 (pictured, left), entered the pleas in an agreement which proposes that she spend six years in federal prison.
However, when Judge Richard Matsch accepted the guilty pleas he
also ordered a pre-sentencing investigation before imposing a
penalty. Barton will return for sentencing on Feb. 21.
The fire that began near Lake George ravaged 137,000 acres
of the Pike National Forest and nearby lands and destroyed 133
homes and a business.
State officials are considering additional charges of arson
against Barton for the homes and business destroyed in the blaze.
The fired U.S. Forest Service employee had originally faced 17 to 65 years in federal prison and up to a $750,000 fine after prosecutors said she admitted starting the $38 million fire.
Barton remains free on $600,000 bond.
State prosecutors are still considering charging Barton with 134 counts of fourth-degree arson, Barton friend Scott Riebel told the The Denver Post.
"We're not doing anything until the federal folks are done,"
said Mike Knight, spokesman for Douglas County District Attorney
Jim Peters.
Barton told federal investigators June 15 that she accidentally
started the fire while burning a letter from her estranged husband in a fire ring. She tried to put it out but it grew out of control
in the forest tinder-dried by the drought.
Terry Lynn Barton, 38 (pictured, left), entered the pleas in an agreement which proposes that she spend six years in federal prison.
However, when Judge Richard Matsch accepted the guilty pleas he
also ordered a pre-sentencing investigation before imposing a
penalty. Barton will return for sentencing on Feb. 21.
The fire that began near Lake George ravaged 137,000 acres
of the Pike National Forest and nearby lands and destroyed 133
homes and a business.
State officials are considering additional charges of arson
against Barton for the homes and business destroyed in the blaze.
The fired U.S. Forest Service employee had originally faced 17 to 65 years in federal prison and up to a $750,000 fine after prosecutors said she admitted starting the $38 million fire.
Barton remains free on $600,000 bond.
State prosecutors are still considering charging Barton with 134 counts of fourth-degree arson, Barton friend Scott Riebel told the The Denver Post.
"We're not doing anything until the federal folks are done,"
said Mike Knight, spokesman for Douglas County District Attorney
Jim Peters.
Barton told federal investigators June 15 that she accidentally
started the fire while burning a letter from her estranged husband in a fire ring. She tried to put it out but it grew out of control
in the forest tinder-dried by the drought.
Previous Stories:
- November 27, 2002: Hayman Fire Suspect Makes Plea Agreement
- September 16, 2002: Accused Hayman Arsonist To Leave Halfway House
- September 10, 2002: Barton Wants Out Of Halfway House
- September 5, 2002: Judge Rules Barton's Confession Admissible
- August 30, 2002: U.S. Attorney Says Barton's Confession Valid
- July 26, 2002: Sister: Hayman Arson Suspect Didn't Mean To Set Fire
- June 27, 2002: Barton Bonds Out, Released From Jail
- June 22, 2002: Prosecutors: Barton's Husband Never Wrote Any Letter
- June 20, 2002: Forestry Worker Pleads Innocent In Hayman Fire Case
- June 19, 2002: New Charges Filed Against Forestry Worker
- June 16, 2002: Forestry Worker Arrested For Hayman Fire
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
