Teen Arsonist Ordered to Pay $36 Million for Wildfire
The Eagle Creek wildfire burned more than 48,000 acres last year.
Kristi McCluer/Reuters
A judge in Oregon on Monday ordered a teenage arsonist to pay $36.6 million. The teen, who was 15 when he threw fireworks into a forest while on a hiking trip, pleaded guilty to starting the wildfire last year in Eagle Creek that burned more than 48,000 acres. The teen’s attorney, Jack Morris, objected to the fine, calling it exorbitant and arguing that it violates the Constitution’s protections against cruel and unusual punishment. But the judge said the fine was “clearly proportionate to the offense because it does not exceed the financial damages caused by the youth.”
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