Church arson defendant on trial, in Federal court?

[Bob]

Man accused of torching church with gay pastor tells jurors homosexuality is a sin

Prosecutors say his motive was resentment of inclusive policies towards gays and women at two churches in Douglas he's accused of setting fire to.

tucson.com

Trial enters day two for man accused of burning two Douglas churches

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — The federal trial for Eric Ridenour continues this morning.

www.kvoa.com

Question for legal scholars: is this trial in federal court because two churches were torched, or because the churches have historic value, or because the defendant is protesting that these churches are condoning LGBT…?

 

[BlessedPeace]

Man accused of torching church with gay pastor tells jurors homosexuality is a sin

Prosecutors say his motive was resentment of inclusive policies towards gays and women at two churches in Douglas he's accused of setting fire to.

tucson.com

Trial enters day two for man accused of burning two Douglas churches

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — The federal trial for Eric Ridenour continues this morning.

www.kvoa.com

Question for legal scholars: is this trial in federal court because two churches were torched, or because the churches have historic value, or because the defendant is protesting that these churches are condoning LGBT…?

If they're federal property in some way that would be one cause for federal court action.

If he allegedly burned them due to lgbtq tolerance policy that would be a civil rights hate crime and warrant federal jurisdiction,prosecution.

Just 2 things off the top of my head.