No trial decision for man accused of burning mission
Criminal proceedings against a man accused of setting fire to Mission San Gabriel almost two years ago continued Tuesday with a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to bring his case to trial.
John Corey, 57, appeared at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Downtown Los Angeles in handcuffs and escorted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies. He has been charged with five felonies, including possession of an incendiary device, burglary and two counts of arson.
However, Superior Court
Judge Craig Richman did not reach a decision as to whether the case will move on to trial. The hearing will resume on August 25.
On Tuesday, the judge listened to testimony from a longtime friend of the defendant, Bill Calzada. The witness had told investigators that Corey “had the mentality that the church and God are evil,” in an interview recorded in August of 2020. Excerpts of that conversation were played in court.
But when questioned by deputy district attorney Elizabeth Karb, Calzada qualified his past statements. He told the court that he was using his own words, not directly quoting
Corey, when he spoke to investigators. The witness went on to say that the defendant only believed certain aspects of Christianity were evil.
When cross-examined by Los Angeles County Public Defender Peter Chung, Calzada denied ever hearing Corey talk about wanting to cause damage to the mission.
Following Calzada's testimony, Corey was heard saying “thanks Bill,” as the witness left the stand, and Judge Richman made a point to ensure that exchange was reflected in the transcript of Tuesday's hearing. The longtime friend of the defendant had acknowledged that he did not want to testify against him.
The fire Corey is accused of setting started in the choir loft on the second floor of the mission at 4:24 a.m. July 11, 2020, San Gabriel Fire Department officials said. The 250-yearold house of worship's ceiling collapsed as flames spread. They did not reach the altar, and the building's walls were left standing, but much of its interior was destroyed.
It took crews about two hours to douse the blaze. One firefighter was injured in the process.
Corey had been convicted of arson twice before the fire at Mission San Gabriel. He was questioned in connection with another unrelated attempted arson reported the day after the historic building burned.
He received a three-year prison sentence after pleading no contest in that case. He has remained in custody as proceedings regarding the mission case move forward.
A judge dismissed the mission case in July of 2021 because a key witness was unavailable for a hearing. The case was refiled two months later, and Corey entered a plea of not guilty in December, according to court records.