Pair Pleads No Contest to Corral Fire Charges

• County DA Wanted Jail for Two Deemed Most Culpable

BY ANNE SOBLE

Two men, first expected to plead guilty, instead pleaded no contest last week to recklessly causing the 2007 Corral Fire that destroyed 53 homes, damaged 23 others, injured six firefighters and charred nearly 5000 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 the pair 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.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, “The [two men] pled open to the court, meaning it was not part of a negotiated settlement with the DA’s office.”

Anderson and Coppock 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 when a second group, including the two defendants, showed up, according to the prosecution.

The fire was allowed to spiral 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 said the case was not “simple and straightforward.” She commented that the men were “reckless” and “immature,” but added there was no evidence the wildfire was intentional.

Speer indicated 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 formal sentencing.

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

Two other men, Dean Allen Lavorette and Eric Matthew Ullman, face the same charges and are also scheduled to appear before Judge Speer on Sept. 9.

A fifth defendant, Brian David Franks, testified against the others. He entered a no contest plea in 2008 and was sentenced to five years probation and 300 hours of community service.