Man convicted in arson that killed firefighter Walter Harris may get reduced sentence

A man convicted of paying a handyman $20 to burn down a vacant house in a blaze that killed a Detroit firefighter may get a more lenient sentence.

The Michigan Court of Appeals on Wednesday dismissed the 41-year prison sentence of Mario Willis, saying a Wayne County judge failed to properly explain why he exceeded the sentencing guidelines.

Firefighter Walter Harris, who was beloved in the department, died when the roof collapsed on him in 2008.

The appeals court ruled 2-1 that Judge William Callahan did not justify why he went beyond the sentencing guidelines. The appeals court also removed Callahan from the case.

Willis, 34, was convicted of second-degree murder and will remain behind bars until the next court hearing, which has not yet been set.
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The overturned sentence comes as Detroit firefighters continue to be placed at extraordinary risk because of defective fire engines and ladder trucks, high arson rates and mismanagement.

In January 2013, a new state law made it a crime punishable by life in prison to commit an arson that injures or kills a firefighter.

  Appeal, Arson, Court, detroit is burning, Fatality, Firefighters, State law, Walter Harris

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

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