On Thursday, a homeless man pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of setting a 249-year-old Catholic church on fire last year.
John David Corey Jr., 57, also known as “Joker,” denied igniting the blaze on July 11, 2020, which caused millions of dollars of damage to the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, founded in 1771 by Father Junipero Serra. The four-alarm fire reportedly broke out shortly before 4:30 a.m. and burned for nearly two and a half hours. One firefighter was injured battling the blaze. The roof of the church building was destroyed, and the pews below were incinerated. First responders were able to save the alter, museum, and some paintings.
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