Well, I tried searching for any coverage of the trial or sentencing on the T-G site, but I wasn't able to find anything on it. I guess this was kept rather quiet. When I was shocked at the "punishment" (I keep putting that in quotation marks since it's not really the right word for the sentence they received) my neighbor asked me if I knew who their families were. I told him that I didn't and he mentioned that they were some of the local "well connected" families. It's ridiculous that someone didn't step up and say it didn't matter who their families were, that they needed to learn a lesson. If it was actually family influence that swayed the judge, then the families aren't doing the arsonists any favors. If they've done it once (or repeatedly as in this case) they will do it again. Once they burn down a place that has someone in it, it will be murder which, from what I can tell, unless you're a preacher's "abused" wife you won't get away with a slap on the wrist. If this is, indeed, the case then the judge that determined that this was a just "punishment" needs to be removed from the bench.

Wow, it would be a good idea to let more people know about this, except that you would have to be VERY careful not to step over the line of slander or libel if he hasn't actually been found guilty of any of that. Don't get me wrong, I've got the utmost respect for firefighters. I have done fire fighting in the Navy and I have to respect anyone that is willing to do that daily for a living. I could not do that as a career (good thing I'm good with computers). What really burned me the most about the Bell Buckle fires (pardon the pun), is that these fires were started by the very people that were supposed to be there to protect the local residents and businesses from that very thing. That's akin to a police officer that goes around robbing and killing people.

Awe, well since your blog is about fires and I am a flamer according to your comrade I would like you to take a second to FATHOM the very same idea about OUR GOVERNMENT "ATTACKING THEIR OWN PEOPLE!!!"

To me this is no different, there are always a few radicals who get away with everything, and there are always those in power who let them off the hook.

Ever wonder why I fear my government no less than you fear your fire department?

It is a different situation but with the same moral to the story. We all have opinions and nobody is forcing that on anyone!

Ironic that we have the same tactics being used ... those in a position of service starting the very thing they fight against. Just because it is a local event that didn't affect the entire country, nobody questions anything? Those with power and tons of money can buy their way out of anything.

I wonder why we don't have publicly available evidence to disprove those conspiracy theorists. When a local judge can just slap the wrist of firefighters its no wonder our government seems to be above the law too!

But I don't call anyone names on these blogs and nobody has been on in days, because there really isn't anything worth replying to. No pun intended!

jesuslovesevery1, I don't believe anyone in this blog mentioned you calling anyone anything. Also, how is our government "attacking their own people"? Sure, there are issues here and there with our government on national, state, and local levels, but for the most part our form of government has been proven time and again to work better than most (if not all). The judicial system is really what I was complaining about in this blog. If that's what you're referring to, I agree that the judicial system is destroying our country with the "activist judges" out there that rip away at our Constitution over and over, on both the left and the right.

I had read about that. That's insane. I couldn't believe that the "commonwealth" had the nerve to pass those fines. One of these cases will go to the Supreme Court at some point. There are so many things wrong with their new "civil penalties" that it's ridiculous. That would certainly make people slow down though.

Oh, I know William, there are those places in town with high crime. My point is that a $90 court cost for speeding here is a whole lot better than dishing out up to $3,000 for a ticket in Virginia, as the drivers in the Commonwealth are beginning to learn.

There are currently two Shelbyville officers that handle traffic alone, but this was at the request of many citizens who insisted that they be enforced.

The difference is, that while local cops say they are doing this to make the streets safer, the lawmakers who passed this in Virginia clearly stated that the fees were for raising revenue ... "part of the multibillion-dollar plan the state lawmakers approved this year to improve transportation around the state, particularly in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads."

Response to (Justunjust). I have knowledge of the Shelbyville City fireman in question. This fireman has a second job and he has in the past and present conducted business with members of the city and county government. Some would think that his business dealings with these members of our government have been very rewarding. He has been arrested numerous times in the past couple of years with only what some would say was minor punishment. As a result of his repeated failure to obey the law, his driving privelages were revoked enabling him to respond to emergency fires unless he is on duty or has a chaufer if he is off duty. This is sad because other city employees have been fired for less. I believe that being a Fireman is a profession to be proud of and all members of all emergency personell should conduct themselves in a professional manner. Do you think that school teachers, Cub Scout leaders, and other groups would bring thier kids to this firehall knowing that they have convicted criminals working within whom have repeatedly broken state laws. One of his arrest carried a $2500 jail bond that was issued by the judicial commissioner. Alledgedly a quick call to a customer of his at the Circuit Court Clerks office got him released on his own recognizance, totally underminding the commissioner and law enforcement. This same clerks office assisted the said fireman in obtaining his restricted license (this procedure is normally done by the probation officer). Since this case, I have often wondered whose side the clerk is on. There was one former city official who took a clear stance against law enforcement invovling this fireman. This would lead one to believe that if you know the right people, or do business with certain people, you can get away with crimes that some would lose thier job for. It is ashame that the scales of justice in this local government very depending on who you are or who you know.I would like to emphasize that this particular case doesn't apply to any other fireman with the city and that we have a very professional fire department as a whole. I'm just sadden by the unjust that occurs when politics get invovled.

You can also have someone arrested for harrassment and get an order of protection against them more than once in Bedford Co.(it will be thrown out) you're wasting your time! They can come to your place of employment and possibly cause you to loose your job but thats OK too! You can call the police on this same person for showing up at your house multiple times and they can even find them parked down the road and they wont do anything! You can live in fear every time your children go outside they may show up again and run them over or shot them! If your a woman you can get by with all these things in Bedford Co. as long as your Daddy has the right last name!

Who's Judge Cox? Nobody brought his name into this. What'd he do?

Oh, no. Definitely not. I wasn't even suggesting that. Just like there are plenty of firefighters out there that do NOT start fires to get their jollies, there are upstanding police officers and judges...I'm betting there are even a couple of honest lawyers out there. Sorry, I got the impression you were defending Judge Cox against something that was said on here. If he is a respectful and trustworthy judge, GREAT, we need more like him up there.

You know I just read that piece. So what they're saying is that, as long as you're young, haven't been in trouble before, and act like you're remorseful (who wouldn't at that point?) you can get plead guilty to a FELONY and get off scot-free. That's just really nice. I'm wondering if any of these fine upstanding young men (who are now convicted felons) own any handguns, rifles, shotguns, or are planning on voting in upcoming elections.

That's what it looks like from the article on the TV website: http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story... Regardless of that though, they are still convicted felons and, at least through their probation, do not enjoy the right to possess firearms or the right to vote.

I think the two to four years was probably two for the guy that ratted out the other three (who probably got four years each).

He does it very well. NOT!

His trials wouldn't stand a chance in judicial systems outside of Bedford County.

Yes except for the fact that my family has been a victim of his fraud?!?!

Tell that to the family of innocent murdered people who DON'T want crooks getting off the hook!

It has happened,and will happen... Just look at the case we started discussing in this blog.

I agree with you Dianatn on most every single thing you have written to date, but I guess where one's opinion on certain lawyers are formed by how their case was handled.

To Justunjust: Yes, I'm familiar with the case. While this Shelbyville City fireman was under oath, he stated that the Circuit Court Clerks office prepared his driving restrictions (again this procedure is normally done by youre probation officer). Prior to court proceedings the Shelbyville fireman confronted the arresting officer and stated that the veteran officer had made a wrongful arrest according to the Circuit Court Clerk because, the clerks office hadn't mailed in his D.U.I. conviction to the state. I know that sometimes citizens become fustrated with law enforcement when they see repeat offenders continue to go about thier business as if nothing never happened. Little do they know that sometimes law enforcement not only have to battle with talented attorneys but they also have to batttle with elected officials whom are in very powerful political positions. Some political officials protect these criminals for whatever reason they choose as with this this Shelbyville Fireman who has been convicted of crimes against a women and society. This Shelbyville fireman was able to retain his job with no known punshment and the arresting officers were called in by an elected official and ridiculed for arresting this fireman while he was down on his luck. I hope that through elections the people of this city and county will elect someone who has the guts to stand up for what is right and not impede the judicial proceedings. God Bless.

We all know Justice for some is not the same Justice for all..it's a sad fact of life. If you are a celebrity you can get away with murder literally..We all know OJ is a murderer but they drug his trial out on TV for so long we all begin to think please just let him go I am sick of watching this on TV..Look at Martha Stewart she spend prison time (yes it was a cushie prison but still a prison no less) after she was released who do you see right back on National TV pitching her recipes again (if you or I go to prison you'd be lucky to get a job at McDonald's flipping burgers)

And what about Tennessee Waltz..OMG that is a whole nuther can of worms isn't it..Bribery and extortion with a slap on the wrist. I could go on and on but I think you get the point.

It's the same way in a small town it is all about who you are and who you know and you don't even have to be a celebrity here, do you?

In all these cases, the boys who started the fire and the fireman with repeated offenses, those officials that are giving them special treatment are not helping them.

What I mean is, in some cases, these people need to face the consequences of their actions. In the case of the fireman with repeated offenses, he is getting special treatment from the circuit court because they're friends. But if this official was really his friend, he would let this guy face up to the crimes he's committed. He needs help and I pray that the special treatment will prove to help this guy get the rehabilitation that he needs. Otherwise, he will just think he can continue to do it and get away with it. (Which I personally think is the case.)

With these boys that start fires, I don't know them or their situation. While there is nothing we can do about the sentence, we can pray that they appreciate the second chance that was given to them and learn a lesson from it.