Calderwood guilty of burglary, not arson in W. 83rd explosion case

CLEVELAND - The jury reached a verdict in the case a Cleveland man accused of causing an explosion that damaged dozens of homes.

William Calderwood was found guilty on one count of burglary, but was found not guilty on the 56 arson charges.

Defense attorney Patrick Leneghan said, "My client fully acknowledged taking the appliances. There was never really an issue of taking the appliances of the residences. He believed the property was vacant for two and half years and it was high time that somebody used it and he gave those items to homeless people."

Prosecutors argued Calderwood tampered with a gas line in a vacant home on West 83rd Street in January, causing the home to explode.

But proving that Calderwood actually caused the explosion proved tough for prosecutors.

"I think we live in a world of multi-media, of CSI and Law & Order," said Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Robert Botnick.

"The jury wants to see everything and this was a case of circumstantial evidence. And I think the jury ultimately wants to see who was the person inside the house, unscrewing the gas lines."

Jurors had a request on Wednesday that was not related to the arson charges, but instead to a burglary charge. The jury asked to hear back a portion of a recorded conversation between Calderwood and his wife.

The conversation was taped during a visit to the jail in which Calderwood talked about taking appliances out of the vacant house that exploded on Jan. 25.

Calderwood: And I’m wondering if I offered to reimburse them for the appliances, if they would drop it.
Calderwood’s wife: I think that sounds much like a guilty…
Calderwood: No, I know because I did take the appliances. I’m not pleading. I didn’t burglarize the house, alright.

Two jurors came forward Friday to explain their verdict and agreed it was a tough decision.

"The state did not meet the burden of proof to allow us to believe that Bill Calderwood was the only suspect and the only possibility in this case," said juror Neal Benedict.

Meanwhile, one resident from the neighborhood described the disappointment in Friday's verdict and not knowing if arson or accident was the culprit.

"The state has not been able to prove the cause of the explosion," said Brian Kazy.

Calderwood's wife thank supporters for their prayers and support. Terry Calderwood said she's relieved for her husband and she blamed the gas company for the leak.

"If anything good comes out of this, Dominion needs to acknowledge that its infraststructure is rotting, its leaking and its causing things to happen--like this explosion," she said.

Caldwerwood remains in jail and is scheduled to be sentenced July 3.

He could face a maxium of 5 years in prison.