Posted on 02/29/2008 1:13:33 PM PST by SmithL
SAN FRANCISCO -- The attorney for the man accused of arson and vandalism in the Feb. 22 trashing of the historic San Francisco fire chief's home argued unsuccessfully for a lower bail today, saying the incident amounted to a "symbolic gesture" against the man's companion, the city's planning director.
Lance Farber, 47, the domestic partner of San Francisco planning chief John Rahaim, remains in custody on $1 million bail stemming from the incident, in which a bed was set on fire and crushed tomatoes smeared on the walls of the residence at 870 Bush St. on Nob Hill.
Judge Loretta Giorgi of San Francisco Superior Court denied attorney Randall Knox's impromptu motion to reduce Farber's bail to $500,000. She set a hearing for Wednesday for a judge to decide on a formal motion.
Knox said Farber did not pose a flight risk and had no prior criminal record. He dismissed the incident as a "symbolic gesture" aimed at the bed Farber shared with Rahaim.
Earlier this week, Knox characterized the incident as the result of a romantic quarrel.
"This is not a typical arson case," Knox said today. "This is not someone trying to harm someone."
Police say Farber called Rahaim about 8:40 p.m. Feb. 22 to tell him he was going to set fire to the residence, then fled. Farber was arrested about an hour later in San Mateo County on suspicion of driving under the influence.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
When’s the next earthquake due?
Now there’s a symbolic gesture.
Why is anyone suprised? You let 2 people with mental disorders into a public home to live, and they wind up doing things people who are mentally ill do, pure and simple.
Homosexuality is a mental disorder.
We had an openly gay man in our office a few years ago. One day he was complaining about the various boyfriends he had gone through and how hard is was to find a partner who was “normal”.
He was not trying to make a joke and not even aware of the irony of his statement. It was one of the saddest things I have ever heard.
“When’s the next earthquake due?”
We’re so overdue. I don’t wish earthquake hell on anybody (having experienced too many in my life), but I have my food, survival gear, water, and weapons all ready to go. My family will get through the disaster.
I have this post-earthquake vision of having to defend my home from all those plundering, code pink, bearded, pony-tail, marine-hating idiots in the East Bay who did not prepare and will expect Barak to come save them once the earthquake strikes.
Maybe they ought to just symbolically give him jail time too....
public spanking or something
(Ack, I can’t believe I said that...)
Right after the car salesman (18 seconds), the alleged tomato-smearing arsonist looks at the camera as he enters the court.
He’ll get off with community service handing out play safely fliers in the Castro.
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