Trial for Man Accused of Burning Churches to Move

EMMETT, Idaho (AP) — The criminal trial of a southwest Idaho man accused of setting fires that destroyed two churches to hide burglaries is being moved due to concerns about getting an impartial jury.

A judge ruled last week that the December trial of 42-year-old Bradley Thomasson will be held in Canyon County rather than Gem County. He faces arson and burglary charges. The fires in April 2013 destroyed the First Baptist Church and the Community Bible Church in Emmett.

Third District Judge Susan Wiebe says community members had ties to the churches and potential jurors also became aware that Thomasson was convicted of the 1989 murders of his parents in their Lewiston home. Thomasson spent 22 years in the state prison system for the killings and was released on parole in January 2012.