Closing arguments soon in Fort Collins arson trial

By The Associated Press
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

FORT COLLINS — Jurors are expected to start deliberating this week in the case of a beekeeper accused of setting a fire in Fort Collins.

Lawyers were expected to give closing arguments Tuesday in the trial of Benjamin Gilmore. He is charged with seven felony counts including attempted first-degree murder and arson following a fire that burned a building under construction and spread to a condominium complex in October. The fire caused $10 million in damage.

Investigators say Gilmore’s watch was at the crime scene and that Gilmore had injuries including burns on his hands.

Gilmore maintains he was beekeeping alone when the fire was set. The Coloradoan reports he testified last week that he learned of the blaze from a fellow follower of the Occupy movement.