Former Coast Guard Seaman is Acquitted of Arson

Thirty-two-year-old Emmanuel McFadzean was accused of causing a fire that destroyed three coast guard vessels back in 2022.  He was subsequently charged with arson after it was alleged that he was stealing fuel from one of the boats.  Today, the former coast guard seaman was acquitted of arson when a jury of nine returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty.  Tears of joy ran down McFadzean’s face as he embraced his daughters following the High Court decision.  This afternoon, attorney Bryan Neal said there was insufficient evidence to prove his client guilty of the charge that was brought against him.

 

Bryan Neal, Attorney-at-law

“This jury really considered the evidence in this case and returned a not guilty verdict because, simply put, there was no evidence of arson against this coast guard, or former coast guard, because I understand that he was relieved of his position last year.”

 

Reporter

“So tell us, give us an idea of how the vessels, as said in the evidence, or the alleged evidence against Mr. MacFadzean that the Boston Whaler, valued at over six hundred thousand dollars went up in flames.  They alleged that he da di man weh dehn sih di run from it and he was charged for arson.  What was actually those evidence to support that the jurors saw…”

 

Bryan Neal

“If there was any evidence, I didn’t see it, and that was our submission.  Mr. Arnold and I represented Mr. McFadzean.  There was no evidence that he was stealing gas, there was no evidence that he was lighting fuse, there was no evidence that he was doing anything negligently to cause the fire and the jury considered it.  The only evidence came from the fire expert and he conceded quite honorably that the fire was accidental and that nobody could have started the fire.  So I think the jury, that weighed heavily on the jury’s mind and they returned, in my mind, the right verdict.  Justice has been served.”