Church Arsonists face charges in two more ETexas counties

Two more district court judges indicted the men who received multiple life sentences in Smith County for burning East Texas churches last year.

Henderson and Van Zandt County district court judges indicted Jason Robert Bourque, 20-year-old former University student, on six counts of arson.

Daniel McAllister, 22, received indictments on two counts of arson in Henderson County and three counts in Van Zandt County.

In Smith County, Judge Christi Kennedy found Bourque guilty of five counts of arsons and three counts of attempted arson.

Kennedy found McAllister guilty of two counts of arson and two counts of attempted arson.

Bourque must serve the five life sentences and two 20-year sentences concurrently, before serving a third 20-year sentence, all of which are the maximum sentences for the crimes.

McAllister must serve two life sentences and two 20-year sentences concurrently.

Both men also must pay restitutions for the crimes, to be set at a later date.

Kennedy considered previous criminal records when deciding whether to accept the state’s maximum sentence recommendations.

Court documents connected Bourque to a sexual assault on Feb. 6, 2009 at University Pines Apartments.

The report stated Campus Police received a complaint of a 19-year-old student engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old.

“We worked the case and submitted it to the district attorney’s office and, of course, after that he got arrested,” Police Chief Mike Medders said.

In the Smith County hearings, the judges gave each victim of the arsons a chance to speak to witnesses, as part of a victim-impact statement. Initially, three victims planned to speak, but one canceled prior to the hearing.

Pastor David Martin of Pinebrook Baptist Church offered hope to the two church arsonists.

“I come with a heavy heart,” Martin said. “Our church has prayed for you, and we forgive you.”

Dwight Lawson, pastor of Clearview Baptist Church, also issued a final statement to the two men.

“I’ve been praying for you,” Lawson said. “I offer myself to you if there’s anything I can help you with.”

Providing an analogy to Solomon, who persecuted churches in the Bible, Martin spoke about how God forgave Solomon, who later became a missionary.
“Get on your knees, like I’m sure you already have, and ask God’s forgiveness,” he said. “He can use you in a mighty way.”

During a plea hearing on Dec. 15, the prosecution dropped deadly-weapon charges, which means the defendants could be eligible for parole sooner.

The Smith County court found Bourque guilty of the following charges:

• Arson - Jan. 16 Tyland Baptist Church located at 2818 Silver Creek Drive in Tyler
• Arson - Jan. 17 1st Church of Christ Scientist located at 106 East Second Street in Tyler
• Arson - Jan. 20 Fellowship of Prairie Creek Church located at 2401 South Main Street in Lindale
• Arson - Feb. 8 Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church located at 14914 CR 426 in Lindale
• Arson - Feb. 8 Dover Baptist Church located at 21166 FM 1995 in Tyler
• Attempted arson - Feb. 7 Heritage Baptist Church located at 7720 S. Broadway in Tyler
• Attempted arson - Feb. 8 Pinebrook Baptist Church located at 3606 Van Highway in Tyler
• Attempted arson - Feb. 8 Clearview Baptist Church located at 13933 State Highway 110 North
The court found McAllister guilty of the following charges:
• Arson - Feb. 8 Dover Baptist Church
• Arson - Feb. 8 Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church
• Attempted arson - Feb. 8 Clearview Baptist Church
• Attempted arson - Feb. 8 Pinebrook Baptist Church