In case you missed it, 60 Minutes ran a story about the 1970 Pioneer Hotel Fire and the case of Louis Taylor, the 16 year-old convicted of the crime. Taylor is set to be released from prison on Tuesday after pleading no contest in exchange for a term reduction to time served.

This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2013.

The editor of the Tucson Weekly. I have no idea how I got here.

10 replies on ““60 Minutes” Looks at the Pioneer Fire”

  1. Wow that stinks. Really what they don’t want is to be liable for the lawsuit he would file if his conviction is vacated. So this man jailed for 2/3’s of his life will be a still convicted felon and is essentially pleading guilty (no contest). Wow that stinks.

  3. He was just a kid when they threw him prison, what is he supposed to do now 42 yrs later? Spend the rest of his days homeless frequenting the salvation army because no one will want to hire him.

  4. The state or the city of Tucson should put up some money for him to live on for the rest of his life.

  5. He was guilty of the crime and was imprisoned. However long matters not. What he is to do now is what any criminal faces. The State of Arizona, Pima County nor the City of Tucson are liable for his welfare for the remainder of his life. When do bleeding hearts get that when someone does the crime, they need to pay the price.. for however long? Why should citizens continue to support criminals after they have left prison? His age matters not, the people that died and their families matter!! Should their families continue to support the man/person who killed their loved one? THINK PEOPLE.

  6. So, because a flawed prosecution led to a verdict, that’s that? Sounds like Dondi is happy when a killer goes free once someone is railroaded, because convictions are worth more than the truth.

    Me? I’m the crazy guy who would rather have justice than revenge.

  7. I don’t get it. Nowhere on local television news has there been any serious questioning of past proceedings or the fire science that’s been developed since the first trial. It’s as if there is this huge blank space in local reporting, esentially waiting for this guy to plead nolo contendere, a tacit admission of guilt, even though he’s steadfastly maintained his innocence for 42 years. Looking at the past evidence, lack thereof, prosecutorial misconduct, and a rush to judgment, this man would never have been convicted today. He was railroaded, he’s lost most of his life, and now, after all this time and at the end of his rope, simply wanting to get the hell out of prison, he’ll plead nolo contendere. This is wrong, and it in no way represents justice. Barbara LaWall should be ashamed of her stance on this case, and the city of Tucson should be culpable for prosecuting this man.

  8. There are some kind people it seems and that alone is a good thing.Louis has been inside a very long time /it will feel alien at best for him but knowing him he will do it with a smile.
    I got no idea what or how Louis will live but some new scenery and a town and barrio he will not recognise at the worst will be a change.Luck and more i wish you man….

    billy sedlmayr

  9. tiredofpr, you hit the nail on the head. Tucson citizens have been ripped off, distracted, disenfranchised, misinformed and uninformed by a complicit local media. This becomes one of many examples.

  10. Met Louis Taylor by chance this week & we had a heart to heart talk about his experience. He strikes me as a decent, sensitive man. I hope he can get over the trauma of this ordeal and find happiness. He is upbeat & hopeful & is working to support the justice organizations that helped him. Loft Cinema having a benefit June 8th.

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