Arson suspects turn down plea bargains; evidentiary hearing set for July 11

Two Kings Beach men charged with arson turned down an offer to serve six years in prison in exchange for guilty pleas. The plea bargain was offered to the suspects in a May preliminary hearing. The suspects turned down the offer and chose to go to trial. According to District Attorney Christopher Cattran, now the defendants will face a preliminary evidentiary hearing July 11 at the Tahoe City branch of Placer County Superior Court.

"What that means is that the prosecution will put on evidence to prove there is reasonable cause to believe that a crime has been committed," said Cattran.

Cattran believes that if the two are convicted they could face up to 14 years in prison.

Kevin O'Connor, 39, and Gregory M. Doble, 35, allegedly set fire to O'Connor's Kings Beach business, The Lakeside Overhead Door Company, on Feb. 8. Placer County Sheriff's Office investigators believed that the two intentionally staged a burglary and set the business ablaze. Doble suffered second-degree burns during the incident.

Both men were arrested at the University of California, Davis Medical Center, where Doble was being treated for his injuries. Doble was later released on his own recognizance. O'Connor was released in March after posting $50,000 bail. Both men will remain free until the July court appearance.