HOUGHTON -- After nearly 18 months and two mistrials, accused arsonist and murderer Ronald Kemppainen could soon be a free man.
At a pretrial hearing Monday morning, the prosecutor asked the judge to dismiss all charges in the case without prejudice - meaning they could be brought again if new evidence allowed for a retrial in the future.
"It’s obvious the jurors couldn't get past the fire investigation," says Houghton County Prosecutor Michael Makinen. "Neither jury could come to a conclusion on the issue of arson, and for a third trial, we wouldn't have any additional evidence to present.”
For now, Kemppainen remains in jail on a parole violation.
It'll be up to the department of corrections to decide when he's released.
The news spread quickly to those affected by the fire.
It was a hot topic among members of the Directions Unlimited Drop-in Center, which used to be located on the first floor of 116 Quincy Street.
"There’s someone running around guilty of taking people lives away from them," says Mary Peterson. "I hope it'll eventually be recognized who did this."
"It was a tragedy to lose those members and I’m sure it's tearing inside of some people wondering if he's guilty or not, says Robert Durocher. "I just believe justice will be served eventually."
Four people died in the fire Kemppainen was accused of setting.
None of their relatives were at the hearing, but they did send a statement saying they were "dumbfounded" and as for Mr.. Kemppainen, they said "he will never truly be free."
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