Description:
San Luis Obispo, California criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with aggravated arson of forest land.
On June 13, 2022, Bradley Norman Parrish, of San Luis Obispo, intentionally set a fire in the creek area near the Elks Lodge in San Luis Obispo. During trial testimony it was revealed that two good Samaritans who were at the Elk's Lodge saw the smoke and tried to extinguish the out of control fire. One of the individuals testified that he grabbed a shovel to put out the fire and was confronted by the defendant, to not put the fire out. The defendant told the individual that if he didn't have a shovel in his hand he would fight him. San Luis Obispo Fire Department was called to the scene and put out the rapidly spreading fire before it spread to more territory and any structures.
After the jury's verdict was read in open court, the defendant admitted during a brief court trial that he had been convicted of arson on four seperate and prior occasions. Mr. Parrish faces a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in prison because of his prior criminal convictions, three of which were "serious" or "violent" strike offenses under under California's Three Strikes sentencing law.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 19, 2023 in Dept. 10 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court where the Honorable Jesse Marino will sentence the defendant. The defendant remains in the custody of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.
This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Amy Fitzpatrick who is assigned to the District Attorney's Office Domestic Violence Unit and the special assignment of prosecuting arson cases. The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Police Department and the San Luis Obispo Fire Department.
On or about June 13, 2022, in the County of San Luis Obispo, State of California,
the crime of Arson Of A Structure Or Forest in violation of PC451(c), a Felony, was
committed in that BRADLEY NORMAN PARRISH did willfully, unlawfully, and maliciously
set fire to and burn and cause to be burned a structure and forest land located at 222 Elks
Rd San Luis Obispo, CA.
ELECTRONICALLY
FILED
8/15/2022 9:29 AM
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INFORMATION
NOTICE: The above offense is a serious felony within the meaning of Penal Code
Section 1192.7(c).
Enhancement
PC451.1(a): Spec Alleg - Arson With Aggravating Factors
It is further alleged, pursuant to Penal Code section 451.1(a) as to count 1 that the
following aggravating factors exist: the defendant has suffered the following convictions
Charge S Off. Date Disp. Date Court # Jurisdiction
PC452(b) F 12-27-1994 08-24-1995 F000224203 CASC San Luis Obispo
PC451(b) w/
PC451.1(a)
F 05-27-2005 10-18-2005 F000373120 CASC San Luis Obispo
PC452(c) F 06-29-2018 07-19-2018 18F-05858 CASC San Luis Obispo
PC451(d) F 06-19-2019 04-20-2020 19F-04508 CASC San Luis Obispo
Count 2
On or about June 13, 2022, in the County of San Luis Obispo, State of California,
the crime of Recklessly Causing A Fire Of A Structure Or Forest in violation of PC452(c), a
Felony, was committed in that BRADLEY NORMAN PARRISH did unlawfully and
recklessly set fire to and burn and cause to be burned a structure and forest land located
at 222 Elks San Luis Obispo, Ca.
Prior
It is further alleged, pursuant to Penal Code sections 667(d) and (e), and Penal
Code sections 1170.12(b) and (c), that defendant BRADLEY NORMAN PARRISH has
suffered the following prior conviction of a serious and/or violent felony:
Charge S Off. Date Disp. Date Court # Jurisdiction
PC451(b) w/
PC451.1(a)
F 05-27-2005 10-18-2005 F000373120 CASC San Luis Obispo
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INFORMATION
Prior
It is further alleged, pursuant to Penal Code sections 667(d) and (e), and Penal
Code sections 1170.12(b) and (c), that defendant BRADLEY NORMAN PARRISH has
suffered the following prior conviction of a serious and/or violent felony:
Charge S Off. Date Disp. Date Court # Jurisdiction
PC455 F 09-30-2009 11-03-2009 F000438392 CASC San Luis Obispo
Prior
It is further alleged, pursuant to Penal Code sections 667(d) and (e), and Penal
Code sections 1170.12(b) and (c), that defendant BRADLEY NORMAN PARRISH has
suffered the following prior conviction of a serious and/or violent felony:
Charge S Off. Date Disp. Date Court # Jurisdiction
PC451(d) F 06-19-2019 04-20-2020 19F-04508 CASC San Luis Obispo
It is further alleged pursuant to Penal Code Section 1170(b)(2) that one or more of the
following factors in aggravation listed in California Rule of Court 4.421 may apply to the
defendant(s) or to conduct of the defendant(s):
4.421(a)(1) The crime involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily
harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness.
4.421(a)(2) The defendant was armed with or used a weapon at the time of the
commission of the crime.
4.421(a)(3) The victim was particularly vulnerable.
4.421(a)(4) The defendant induced others to participate in the commission of the crime
and occupied a position of leadership and dominance of other participants in its
commission.
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4.421(a)(5) The defendant induced a minor to commit and assist in the commission of the
crime.
4.421(a)(6) The defendant threatened witnesses, unlawfully prevented and dissuaded
witnesses from testifying, suborned perjury, and in any other way illegally interfered with
the judicial process.
4.421(a)(7) The defendant is charged with other crimes for which consecutive sentences
can be imposed but for which concurrent sentences shall be imposed.
4.421(a)(8) The manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning,
sophistication, and professionalism.
4.421(a)(9) The crime involved an attempted or actual taking or damage of great monetary
value.
4.421(a)(10) The crime involved a large quantity of contraband.
4.421(a)(11) The defendant took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit
the offense.
4.421(a)(12) The crime constitutes a hate crime under section 422.55 of the Penal Code
and no hate crime enhancements under section 422.75 of the Penal Code shall be
imposed and the crime is not subject to sentencing under section 1170.8 of the Penal
Code.
4.421(b)(1) The defendant has engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious danger
to society.
4.421(b)(2) The defendant's prior convictions as an adult and sustained petitions in
juvenile delinquency proceedings are numerous and of increasing seriousness.
4.421(b)(3) The defendant has served a prior term in prison and county jail under section
1170(h).
4.421(b)(4) The defendant was on probation, mandatory supervision, post release
community supervision, and parole when the crime was committed.
4.421(b)(5) The defendant's prior performance on probation, mandatory supervision, post
release community supervision, and parole was unsatisfactory.
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Contrary to the form, force and effect of that statute in such cases made and
provided and against the peace and dignity of the people of the State of California.