The Norco man accused of intentionally setting the 43,000-acre Line brush fire in Highland has been denied a bid to move his case out of San Bernardino County.
Superior Court Judge J. David Mazurek rejected the motion by the Public Defender’s Office on behalf of 35-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg on Tuesday, March 18, at San Bernardino Justice Center. The District Attorney’s Office opposed the motion.
Few change-of-venue motions are granted.
Attorneys defending Ray Oyler, who was eventually convicted of murder and setting the Esperanza fire near Cabazon in 2006 that killed five U.S. Forest Service firefighters, made such a motion because of the extensive publicity the case was receiving and the emotional impact on Riverside County residents. The motion was denied.
The Line fire started on Sept. 5 and injured six firefighters and damaged or destroyed five structures, according to Cal Fire. District Attorney Jason Anderson said investigators found Halstenberg’s DNA on an ignition device described as legal paper wrapped around coins.
Halstenberg has pleaded not guilty to 14 felony charges including aggravated arson, arson of an inhabited structure and arson causing great bodily injury.
He is due back in court on March 26.
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