NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Orange County prosecutors say they will file an additional count of arson against a university professor who allegedly set a series of fires after his son committed suicide.
Officials say 49-year-old Rainer Reinscheid of Irvine will be charged Thursday in an amended complaint with one additional felony count of arson with sentencing enhancements for use of an accelerant.
Reinscheid has pleaded not guilty to nine arson-related felonies and one misdemeanor for fires at his son's high school, the assistant principal's home and a park.
Reinscheid was a professor at the University of California, Irvine, when he allegedly set the fires last year. Authorities believe Reinscheid was upset because his son hanged himself after being disciplined for allegedly stealing from a school store.
Reinscheid's attorney could not immediately be located.
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