Posted on 08/20/2003 3:51:29 PM PDT by truthandlife
A Klein couple who had claimed their house was burned in a hate crime admitted staging the blaze to collect on insurance.
Nicholas Gatlin, 31, pleaded guilty Monday to arson and insurance fraud and was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison, said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Steve Baldassano.
His wife, Tracey Gatlin, also 31, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and received four years deferred adjudication. They also must pay $13,000 in restitution to Allstate, the company that insured the home, Baldassano added.
The couple claimed their house in the 9800 block of Tassel Brook was torched Dec. 7. Racial slurs were discovered sprayed painted on the walls.
Nicholas Gatlin filed a claim for more than $100,000 with Allstate.
Fire investigators, however, said they recovered 18 forensic samples from inside the structure and all tested positive for gasoline or diesel fuel. A gas can was found in the living room.
Investigators also said they found more than 100 family keepsakes, including photo albums, medications, immunization records and the couple's marriage license in their apartment after the blaze. Witnesses also told authorities they had seen items being removed from the house shortly before the 4 a.m. blaze.
Tracey Gatlin said she had salvaged mementoes from the garage after the fire. The couple claimed to have been in Louisiana at the time of the blaze.
All the cops needed to do was see how the word "Dyke" was carve, and how deep, e.g. if the word has been smoothly carved (D Y K E) and at a regular depth then 99.99% of the time it is self inflicted. If, OTOH, the word is carved in a very jagged, almost illegable manner and the depth is all over the place then you are looking at a genuine assault.
After all, when someone has grabbed you and is determined to carve you with a knife you're going to squirm, wiggle, struggle, what have you. In short, you're not going to stand still....like you would if you were using the knife on yourself.
All the cops needed to do was see how the word "Dyke" was carve, and how deep, e.g. if the word has been smoothly carved (D Y K E) and at a regular depth then 99.99% of the time it is self inflicted. If, OTOH, the word is carved in a very jagged, almost illegable manner and the depth is all over the place then you are looking at a genuine assault.
After all, when someone has grabbed you and is determined to carve you with a knife you're going to squirm, wiggle, struggle, what have you. In short, you're not going to stand still....like you would if you were using the knife on yourself.
This is what happens when some people are elevated to "protected classes" status. Crime affects all races. Arson is a serious crime. If a prosecutor wants to pursue vandalism/graffitti charges as well, he can. Tying to the two together to make a bigger case is dangerous. It is also dangerous because "hate crime" legislation does not protect all races. It elevates some to a protected class (some pigs are more equal than others).
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