Indiana Man Gets 90-Year Sentence for Covered Bridge Arson Fires

May 17, 2018

A western Indiana man has been sentenced to 90 years in prison after being convicted of setting fires that destroyed one covered bridge and damaged another.

Jesse Payne was sentenced Monday, a month after a Parke County jury found him guilty but mentally ill on three counts of arson.

WTHI-TV reports authorities say Payne set fires that burned down the Jeffries Ford Bridge in 2002 and damaged the Bridgeton Covered Bridge in 2005. He also tried to set fire to the Mansfield Covered Bridge in 2005.

The Tribune-Star reports that Payne was found incompetent to stand trial after he was arrested following the Bridgeton Covered Bridge fire.

He was found competent to stand trial last year after receiving several years of treatment at the Logansport State Hospital.

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Latest Comments

  • May 18, 2018 at 9:41 am
    confused says:
    most prisons don't allow inmates to have matches or lighters anyway
  • May 17, 2018 at 3:24 pm
    Agent says:
    Let's hope this crazy dude does not see the light of day again. Also, keep matches out of his hands or he might try to burn the prison down.
  • May 17, 2018 at 2:08 pm
    rogerwaters says:
    more detail: In April, Jesse Payne was convicted after officials say he set fire to the Bridgeton Covered Bridge in 2005. The Parke County Sheriff's Office said Payne planned ... read more

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