Sifton teen guilty of setting his home on fire

Bob Albrecht

Columbian files A fire started by a Sifton teen, Alex Michael Smith, destroyed this house the morning of May 13, 2011. Smith was found guilty Wednesday of first-degree arson.

By Laura McVicker Columbian Staff Reporter

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Alex Michael Smith suffered a traumatic brain injury eight days before he allegedly burned his family's house down in May 2011.

The question before a Clark County judge on Wednesday: Did the Sifton teenager's brain injury prevent him from forming the legal intent to commit first-degree arson?

Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Lewis said the evidence was clear: Smith acted "knowingly and maliciously."

"He intended to do it," the judge said. "He was aware his actions were going to cause the fire."

After hearing testimony in the daylong trial, Lewis found Smith, now 17, guilty of first-degree arson. The teen will be sentenced on Oct. 2.

In juvenile court, judges, not juries, decide a defendant's fate.

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Sifton teen guilty of setting his home on fire