Two Plead No Contest in Corral Fire Case

by Anne Soble

Two men, first expected to plead guilty, instead pleaded no contest Wednesday to recklessly causing the 2007 Corral Fire that destroyed 53 homes, damaged 23 others, injured six firefighters and charred over 5,000 acres.

A no contest, or nolo contendere, pleading is one in which a defendant in a criminal prosecution accepts conviction as though a guilty plea has been entered but is not admitting guilt.

Brian Alan Anderson, 24, and William Thomas Coppock, 26, entered their pleas before Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Susan Speer who ordered that they surrender June 9 to undergo a 90-day evaluation by the state Department of Corrections.

Anderson and Coppock pleaded no contest to one count each of recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury and recklessly causing a fire to an inhabited structure. As described by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, “They pled open to the court, meaning it was not part of a negotiated settlement with the D.A.’s office.”

The pair were among two groups of people who went to the so-called rave cave at the top of Corral Canyon on Nov. 24, 2007, to party. The first group built a fire in the cave and then left after a second group, including Anderson and Coppock, showed up, according to the prosecution.

The fire was allowed to grow out of control in the dry hillside location that was posted as a high wildfire risk area. Powerful Santa Ana winds swiftly carried the ensuing flames and embers down the canyon. None of the defendants notified authorities of the fire, investigators said.

Judge Speer indicated that if the two men receive favorable reports following the 90-day review period, they could be ordered to serve one year in county jail, complete community service and be placed on five years probation. Unfavorable reports could mean terms of up to four years in state prison.

Anderson and Coppock are scheduled to return to court Sept. 9 for sentencing.

A restitution hearing is expected to take place later in the year.