Arizona man found guilty of arson at 2 Douglas churches
A jury found Eric Ridenour guilty on all counts on Thursday for lighting two churches on fire in Douglas.
Following three days of testimony, the jury in a Tucson district court found Ridenour guilty on all six counts, including arson and hate crimes for his actions in May 2023.
Prosecutors proved in the case that Ridenour's motivation to commit the crimes was his belief that members of the LGBTQ+ community and women should not be in leadership positions in churches.
St. Stephen's vicar, at the time of the crimes, was a gay man and First Presbyterian's pastor was a woman.
Where St. Stephen used to stand is now an empty parking lot, while First Presbyterian is still in the process of repairing and rebuilding.
Ridenour could face a total of 130 years in prison if Judge Scott Rash imposes the maximum sentences on all six counts. Ridenour's sentencing hearing is set for late October.
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