A military judge found a Navy sailor accused of starting the fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard not guilty on Friday.
Ryan Sawyer Mays was 19 when he was charged with arson and the willful hazarding of a ship, though there was minimal physical evidence directly tying him to the fire.“I am so grateful that this is finally over. It’s been a long two years,” Mays said, following Capt. Derek Butler’s verdict, according to USNI News. “I’ve been waiting a long time.”
The fire, which was started on July 12, 2020, burned for five days, reaching temperatures in excess of 1,400 degrees and spreading to 11 of the 14 decks. Sixty-three personnel, including 40 sailors and 23 civilians, were treated for minor injuries, including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation related to the fire and the attempts to quell the flames.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sailor Found Not Guilty of Setting Fire That Destroyed USS Bonhomme RichardA Navy judge has ruled a sailor was not guilty of setting a fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020. The ruling Friday came after a nine-day trial at Naval Base San Diego. Prosecutors charged then-19-year-old Ryan Sawyer Mays with arson and the willful hazarding of a ship, saying he ignited cardboard boxes in a lower vehicle storage area. There is no physical evidence, however, tying Mays to the fire. A Navy report last year concluded that the fire that destroyed the $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship was preventable and unacceptable. More than 20 senior officers and sailor were disciplined in connection with the incident.
Read more »
Sailor found Not Guilty on charges he started fire aboard USS Bonhomme Richard -SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A young Navy sailor who was accused of setting fire to the USS Bonhomme Richard was acquitted Friday by a military judge of charges stemming from the July 2020 blaze that burned for several days while the ship was docked at Naval Base San Diego. Seaman Recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays, 21, had been charged with arson...
Read more »
Sailor found not guilty of setting fire that destroyed USS Bonhomme RichardA Navy judge has ruled a sailor was not guilty of setting a fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020.
Read more »
Sailor acquitted of setting fire that destroyed massive shipA Navy judge has ruled a sailor is not guilty of setting a fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020
Read more »
Princess Kate Stunned in a Navy Suit While Meeting Members of the Royal NavyIris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
Read more »