Murder Conviction in Fire That Killed Detroit Firefighter

DETROIT - A man accused of arranging an arson for $20 has been convicted of second-degree murder in the death of a Detroit firefighter who tried to extinguish the blaze.

Mario Willis was found guilty Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court. Firefighter Walt Harris died in November 2008 when the two-story house collapsed on him.

The star witness was Darian Dove, a handyman, who told jurors he was paid $20 to set the fire. The abandoned house on Detroit's east side was owned by Willis' fiancee.

Willis accused Dove of lying. Dove has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a minimum sentence of 17 years in prison.

Second-degree murder can carry up to life in prison. Willis will be sentenced May 21.

Related
NIOSH Investigation Report: Michigan

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Gilman on April 30, 2010 at 10:41am
its finally closure for Harris family........but its to bad Michigan doesn't have the death penalty
Permalink Reply by Olivia Jones on April 30, 2010 at 8:13pm
Isnt it sad when a firefighters life came down to $20. At least the family will hopefully be able to find a type of closure.
Permalink Reply by zack on May 3, 2010 at 2:21am
i vote send this POS to Texas and have them take care of him. i hope the familly of FF harris doesnt get to him in the next couple weeks before he goes to jail
Permalink Reply by zack on May 3, 2010 at 2:22am
Prison** sorry

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