Arson Case

BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington man was deemed not guilty by reason of insanity on aggravated arson charges after a judge heard evidence that he believed the property he burned was haunted.

Jason Jeakins, 32, was accused of setting fire to a building on July 17, 2013. Jeakins was purchasing the single-family home at 1805 Springfield Road, Bloomington, from his grandfather, according to court records.

Jeakins disclosed to police that he set the fire "because he was in fear for his life (from what the house had been doing to the defendant and what it might do to him in the future)," according to information presented at a stipulated bench trial Monday.

At a stipulated bench trial, the state and defense agree to the evidence that would be presented at a trial, but no witnesses are called to testify.

After the unusual statements to police, Jeakins was hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. A doctor diagnosed Jeakins with schizophrenia and bipolar and anxiety disorders at the time of the fire.

A written report from a psychiatrist confirming the diagnosis and treatment was provided to the court.

Jeakins also was found guilty by reason of insanity of causing an injury to a Bloomington firefighter who fell through a floor of the charred ruins while investigating the fire.

Jeakins was ordered to complete a psychiatric evaluation before a July 17 court date to determine if he needs mental health care. He will remain free on bond.

Fire Safety Rules

Treat every fire alarm as an emergency. If the alarm sounds, exit the building immediately. Remain in your room if you are unable to exit the building safely because of smoke or fire. Keep the door closed and await assistance from the fire department.

What are accelerants?

Accelerants include lighter fluid, gasoline, kerosine, turpentine, diesel fuel, butane, and more.

Compare and contrast signs of an accidental fire and signs of arson

Accidental fires are usually not prosecuted as arson. If however, an accidental fire occurs because of demonstrably gross negligenceor a casual disregard for the consequences of setting the fire, these fires can cease to be judged as accidental and may instead be seen as arson fires.

what do the colors of smoke and colors of flames indicate about a fire?

A hot, clean-burning fire will emit very little visible smoke; yet, a hot, fast-moving fire in an under ventilated building will show a tremendous volume of smoke. Dampened material will burn slowly and emit lots of smoke, typically a lighter color. The color of a flame depends on a variety of conditions. Not only temperature, but chemical composition and the amount of oxygen present can change the color of a fire. So, why is a wood fire orange? Because it’s a hydrocarbon, and it burns at about 1000 -1100 degrees Celsius, with just the right amount of oxygen.

what is a point of origin, and what is its purpose in forensic arson investigations?

The point of origin is the smallest area you can identify, which can be as small as a thimble or as big as a room. In a forensic arson investigation, investigators will look for the point of origin to find evidence that will lead to finding the start of the fire.

What is arson, and what are indicators of it?

Arson is defined as the willful and malicious burning or charring of property. There are many types of arson crimes, including setting fire to one's property with fraudulent intent--such as to collect insurance money. While the majority of arson crimes involve damage to buildings, arson can also be committed by a person who sets fire to forest land or a boat.

How is evidence from the site of an arson collected and analyzed?

When evaluating the scene of an expected arson, investigators look for specific types of evidence and patterns. Once a fire has been extinguished, investigators can begin the process of examining the scene for signs of arson. The focus of the investigation should hinge on finding the point of origin to see if an accelerant or ignition device can be located. In most arson cases, a petroleum product is used for the accelerant and a match is used as the ignition device. Under normal circumstances fire tends to move up and out forming a V-shaped pattern from the point of origin. This V-shape occurs due to the way in which fire burns; out to the sides and vertically. The origin would be at the bottom point on the V. Not all fires are as straightforward, however! When the fire pattern is "ribbon shaped" from the point of origin, this is considered a red flag and arson is usually suspected. This pattern is typically produced when fire follows the path of an accelerant that has been poured or sprayed in the area. Structures such as stairwells also often block the path of the fire and force it in another direction, so an arson expert is often called in to verify any inconsistencies in these cases.

Describe the Fire Triangle

The fire triangle illustrates the three elements a fire needs to ignite: heat, fuel, and a oxidizing agent (usually oxygen).

What is Fire?

Fire is a combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke.