By Jim Schultz
The Redding Record Searchlight
REDDING, Calif. — The trial of a former firefighter from Happy Valley charged with murder and arson in connection with the 2013 Clover Fire was again delayed Friday in Shasta County Superior Court.
But attorneys are hoping the delay will only be a short one and that Zane Wallace Peterson’s trial might begin as early as next month.
Peterson, 30, had been set to begin standing trial next week, but defense attorney Shon Northam sought the continuance, saying he still needs time to review a series of DVDs that have been turned over by the prosecution.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Ben Hanna, who said he’s ready to begin trial, told Superior Court Judge Cara Beatty that he believes the CDs don’t contain any evidence of significant probative value.
Still, Northam, who is also hoping the delay won’t be a lengthy one, said he needs time to review and verify the information contained on the CDs.
The attorneys are set to return to Superior Court on Friday to provide a status report to determine how long a delay might be necessary.
This is the third time Peterson’s trial has been postponed.
Peterson, who was arrested Dec. 17, 2013, is charged with more than 70 felony counts, including murder and arson, is accused of starting the 8,073-acre Clover Fire, which destroyed 60 homes and claimed the life of Brian Henry, 55, of Igo. He remains in Shasta County Jail in lieu of $3.025 million bail.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials have said a surveillance camera captured Peterson driving a 2001 pickup westbound on Cloverdale Road at 12:20 p.m., about one minute before the Sept. 9, 2013, Clover Fire began. The fire had two points of origin.
Additionally, a second surveillance camera recorded Peterson’s pickup eastbound on Clear Creek Road at Honeybee, the other point of the fire’s origin, at 12:21 p.m.
His pickup was the only vehicle seen passing both origin points at the start of the fires, which quickly merged into one.
Northam has pointed the finger of blame to an unidentified mystery man reportedly seen wearing firefighter-like clothing and warning residents to be prepared to evacuate shortly after the blaze erupted and before firefighters arrived.
In addition to the Clover Fire, Peterson also is accused of setting a number of much smaller fires between September 2013 and November 2013 in Shasta County.
Peterson is a former firefighter in the North State. He worked for the National Forest Service from May 15, 2005, to Oct. 22, 2012, as a fire engine operator on the Mendocino National Forest, fire officials have said.
In early 2012, Peterson pleaded guilty to petty theft charges in Tehama County that stemmed from a complaint filed by the Forest Service, according to online court records.
He was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay fines and restitution.
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