A Bountiful man goes to trial Jan. 15 on arson and burglary charges in the April fire that destroyed his estranged wife's home. Blaine C. Wright, 43, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the incident.
Police said Wright broke into the home of his estranged wife, Gail Wright, on April 23, splashed gasoline around several rooms, then lit it.He fled from the house and then tried to commit suicide by hanging himself from a tree in the side yard with a set of jumper cables. Police arriving on the scene cut him down.
Wright is charged in 2nd District Court with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, and burglary, a second-degree felony. He and his defense attorney, Bel Ami de Montreux, turned down a plea bargain offered by prosecutors and are asking for a jury trial.
The fire destroyed the home and its contents and killed the three family dogs. Wright's wife and children were not home at the time,and no one was injured in the fire.