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by ibgames

EARTHDATE: March 12, 2017

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DUMB CRIMINAL OF THE WEEK: SHOPPED BY HIS PACEMAKER

by Hazed

A man in Middletown, Ohio, has been charged with arson and insurance fraud because the data from his pacemaker blew a hole in his alibi.

Russ Compton’s house was gutted in a fire last September. He told police that the fire broke out inside the house, and that he was able to break a window with his walking stick, throw some bags which he had hurriedly packed out of the window, then climb out and flee the blaze.

However, fire investigators found evidence that the fire was started at various spots, which suggests it was deliberate. Officers were also suspicious about traces of gasoline found on Compton’s shoes and clothing. He also contradicted himself, giving a slightly different story to the 911 operator and the police.

Police decided this evidence wasn’t quite enough to prove Compton had started the fire himself, so when he told them he had a pacemaker fitted, the cops obtained a search warrant for the device’s data – heart rate and cardiac rhythms recording before, during and after the fire broke out.

They showed the reading to a cardiologist who concluded that it was “highly improbable” that the 59-year-old was fit enough to make his escape in the way he had related.

The medic’s statement, which was read out in court, said: “It is highly improbable Mr Compton would have been able to collect, pack and remove the number of items from the house, exit his bedroom window and carry numerous large and heavy items to the front of his residence during the short period of time he has indicated due to his medical conditions.”

Compton denies the charges, saying, “I had no motive whatsoever to burn down my house.” Well, the insurance money might have a bearing…

He will go on trial next month.

Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/02/01/arsonists_pacemaker_data_tips_off_cops/

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