Elbert Samuel Hackworth, 50, was acquitted on one charge of first-degree arson and found not guilty by a 12-person jury on charges of first-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief on July 23.
He was arrested in connection with an April 2 fire that destroyed a house owned by Brad Newport at 2306 Harding St.
The home had been gutted for remodeling, so the fire spread quickly through the structure, causing an estimated loss of about $35,000.
Tina Marie Gibbs, 27, pleaded no contest to first-degree arson on July 2 and was sentenced to 16 months in prison with 36 months of post-prison supervision.
Hackworth was indicted in the case on May 8.
“I really don’t know why I was there,” Hackworth said. He said he was in jail for 76 days between his arrest and the jury verdict, with a $120,000 bail.
It has been frustrating, he said.
“I got robbed while I was in there,”
Among other frustrations is that Hackworth is looking for work, he said.
“On top of that, everyone sees it in the paper, and everyone goes on a first impression. They can’t forget the not guilty thing and won’t accept the acquitted part.
“I just want people to know I didn’t do it.”