Randy Wyrick / Vail Daily
EAGLE — A jury found Craig Miller not guilty Wednesday of menacing his neighbors after he felt they interfered with his son’s arrest in July for allegedly starting the Lake Christine Fire.
The jury deliberated for about 80 minutes in the Eagle County Courthouse in Eagle before reaching the verdict. Craig Miller was charged with intent to commit second-degree burglary, a felony and misdemeanor charges of menacing and criminal trespass.
“I’m going to suggest there isn’t any doubt in this case,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Joe Kirwan told the jury in closing arguments.
Defense attorney Michael Fox saw it differently. He characterized the case as one of “miscommunication, misinformation and missing evidence.”
“This case is missing evidence and it’s missing evidence because the police didn’t see it,” Fox said. “It didn’t exist.”
Miller’s son, Richard, and Allison Marcus are suspected of starting the Lake Christine Fire on July 3, 2018, near Basalt. The fire burned three homes and more than 12,500 acres.
Richard Miller’s trial is scheduled for May 28-June 7; Marcus for June 17-28.
This story will be updated.