Chapter 4

Berns Triplets

1988 House burned Mother Patti died from smoke

inhalation Father Scott asleep on couch, awoke,

and was able to save triplet girls – but they had third degree burns

Suspicious burn patterns near couch

1990 - Scott indicted He abused drugs, had shot at wife’s

car earlier that day Difficult to determine events Jury found there was reasonable

doubt Acquitted

John Orr

1984 (several years) Several arson fires in CA – one killed 4

people No clear pattern Started in LA, moved north to Fresno –

where there was a convention of arson investigators

55 suspects Several years & fires and another

convention in LA later

One suspect – respected arson investigator John Orr

Suffered from hero syndrome Convicted of 4 murders Life sentence, no parole

Career

Arson dog handler/trainer