Warrenville man sentenced to 4½ years for 2016 Palatine arson
A Warrenville man who rejected a plea agreement that would have given him probation for setting a fire at his former home in Palatine was sentenced Wednesday to 4½ years in prison.
Richard Moss, 44, was convicted in January of residential arson after a four-day bench trial before Cook County Judge Joseph Cataldo.
No one was injured in the March 6, 2016, fire that originated in the basement utility room of Moss' former home on the 1000 block of Penny Lane in Palatine. An arson expert determined the fire was intentionally set by someone who ignited mattresses that were stored in the room.
"I'm truly sorry for those I hurt," Moss said as his sentencing hearing concluded.
Arguing for a minimum sentence, defense attorney Jack Quirk described Moss as a troubled man who had previously attempted suicide and whose "ability to make rational decisions was clouded by his mental health issues."
"He destroyed his own life on that day," said Quirk, adding that he did not believe his client was evil or vindictive.
"Hopefully he will get the help he needs," he said.
Moss' sentence is six months longer than the minimum. He had no prior criminal history.
Prosecutors say Moss had been out of work for several years and was going through a divorce, paying $6,000 a month in child support at the time of the fire. They also say the house was in foreclosure and Moss had argued with his girlfriend earlier that day.
Citing what he described as Moss' lack of remorse and his attempt to profit from the fire, Cook County assistant state's attorney Paul Kiefer said the crime "demands a serious sentence."
The fire destroyed the property of the renter who lived in Moss' basement and could have spread to neighboring houses but for the efforts of Palatine firefighters, said Cataldo.
"This was a violent crime," he said. "No one was hurt, thank goodness."