Sailor acquitted of setting fire that destroyed massive ship

By ELLIOT SPAGAT
Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A Navy judge has ruled a sailor is not guilty of setting a fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020. Friday’s ruling is a blow to the Navy as it faces allegations of improper training and maintenance of the $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship. The 21-year-old sobbed after the verdict and read a brief statement to reporters that he was eager to start his life over. Prosecutors showed no physical evidence at the nine-day trial at Naval Base San Diego, while the defense chipped away at the credibility of a key witness.