The fate of a former Endicott firefighter is now in the hands of a jury. Jason Stokes is on trial for arson, accused of burning down his own home. Vince Briga has the highlights from an emotional day of closing arguments.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- It was a crime that shocked an entire community when a former Endicott firefighter was charged with setting his own house on fire in August.
For the past week, Jason Stokes has awaited his fate in Broome County Court. But it's a case the defense is calling a rush to judgment.
They spent the majority of their closing argument Thursday criticizing the handling of the investigation.
The interrogation video was played, in which investigators ask Stokes which family member to arrest if it wasn't him that set the fire.
Another issue raised was a lack of evidence. Ben Bergman of the defense says investigators cherry-picked evidence and never tested crucial items in the home.
For example, one specific roll of twine was brought in, but never tested for DNA. A handwritten workout plan of Stokes was taken for evidence, but no handwriting analysis was performed.
This is in reference to the writing spray painted on Stokes’ home during the fire. It read “Lie with Pigs Fry like Bacon.” The defense said they believe he could have been targeted because of a “Blue Lives Matter” flag.
And finally, in one of the more shocking moments of the day, the defense showed DNA evidence from gas cans found inside the home that didn't match Stokes. Instead, Berman suggested it could have been Stokes' son.
The prosecution, on the other hand, says this is a very common-sense case. They believe Stokes was motivated by financial gain when starting the fire.
Testimony was also read where several investigators say they believe Stokes placed the gas cans in his home with the intention of spreading the fire. Green twine was strung throughout the house, connected to bottles and cans filled with what investigators determined to be gasoline.
His house was also locked, which led prosecutors to believe he was trying to make it hard to get inside.
Stokes now awaits his fate as deliberations begin Friday morning.