VENTURA : Man Found Guilty of Starting 8 Fires
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After fighting for months before winning the right to be his own attorney, a former Oxnard man was convicted of eight counts of arson Wednesday by a jury that deliberated less than four hours.
Ronald K. Sneed, 48, was convicted of starting eight fires near downtown Ventura in October, including one that caused $240,000 damage to the American Red Cross’ local headquarters.
After numerous court proceedings, including a competency trial that ended in a hung jury, Superior Court Judge Charles R. McGrath ruled that Sneed was mentally competent to stand trial and allowed the defendant to represent himself.
One juror, who asked not to be identified, said the evidence against Sneed was overwhelming. Even so, the Ventura woman said, Sneed would probably have fared better with an attorney.
“I think an attorney would have been able to defend him a little more,” the juror said. “He was better at prosecuting himself than defending himself.”
No sentencing date has been scheduled. Arson carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
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