Police: Man threw Molotov into wrong house

[Judi Lynn]

Police: Man threw Molotov into wrong house
Published: Dec. 24, 2009 at 4:20 PM

THOMSON, Ga., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Police in Georgia said they arrested a man who bungled his revenge scheme against an ex-girlfriend by tossing a Molotov cocktail into the wrong house.

Thomson police said Robert Holt, 25, threw a firebomb through the front window of a Thomson home at about 9 p.m. Sunday, The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle reported Thursday.

Investigators said no one inside the home was harmed.

Holt was arrested Sunday night on felony charges of arson in the first degree, possession of an explosive device and four counts of aggravated assault. He was taken to the McDuffie County Law Enforcement Center without bail.

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/12/24/Police-Man-threw-Molotov-into-wrong-house/UPI-96951261689634/

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See this news video from a local tv channel:
http://www.wrdw.com/crimeteam12/headlines/79852782.html

It would appear the newpapers are either whitewashing the more likely story, or they simply hadn't spoken to the people who live inside the house, yet.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Here's the tv news report:

Updated: 6:59 PM Dec 23, 2009

Only on 12: Firebombed Thomson family speaks about "scary" experience
Thomson family talks about what happened when he saw a firebomb explode through his window.

News 12 at 6 O'Clock, December 23, 2009

THOMSON, Ga. --- "We just heard a loud explosion, so I jumped up, like what the hell?"

It was the last thing Derek Willingham and five others expected Sunday night. They were watching a football game, but the bomb they saw didn't come in the form of a long touchdown pass.

"There was fire coming down in the middle of the floor."

A Molotov cocktail had been thrown through their back window. Derek's father used a blanket to smother the flames.

25-year-old Robert Holt has been charged with arson, aggravated assault, and possession of an explosive device.

"This is stuff that we got to pay for!" Derek said.

The window has since been fixed. Broken glass and charred parts of the kitchen remain.

Police say Holt was targeting a house two doors down -- the former home of his ex-girlfriend. But neighbors say he knew what he was doing. They say the woman moved three weeks ago and the night before the incident they say he stood in this yard and told them he'd "kill them all".

"If he didn't throw it on the window, if he threw it on the roof, it would have caught both apartments and somebody would have been lost."

Derek's frustration shows not only with the situation but with what he says has happened in the past.

Thomson police say they've responded to calls involving Holt more than a dozen times this year. In that time, Holt has been charged with criminal trespass, shoplifting, battery, and stalking.

In Columbia County, Holt served four years in prison for a robbery conviction before his release last year.

Holt is now being held the McDuffie County jail without bond. His ex-girlfriend has since moved away. Police say they are concerned for her safety if Holt can get to her.

This is the second situation to hit the Willinghams in a couple of weeks. Earlier this month, Derek's Uncle, Jesse Ramsey, died in a Thomson house fire.

http://www.wrdw.com/crimeteam12/headlines/79969042.html

At the linked video, there's a photo of the alled bomber, who lives 2 houses away, and hear the current resident speaking.

[gratuitous]

2. What's the problem here?

The United States indiscriminately bombs countries on the pretext of "getting" someone they know is indisputably bad. Sure, some unlucky few get sent to Kingdom Come, but that's none of our concern. The target is a bad guy!

And now here's Mr. Holt, using American military policy writ small, and the cops are all over him! Arson! Aggravated assault! Possession of an explosive device! What the hell is going on here? Isn't it enough that this guy is mad at his ex-girlfriend? Why do the Thomson police hate America?

[Judi Lynn]

3. His freedom of expression is being trampled! n/t