Cedar Rapids man convicted of setting fire to his apartment

CEDAR RAPIDS - A 40-year-old Cedar Rapids man pleaded guilty Wednesday to starting a fire in his apartment in April.

Timothy Sattizahn made an Alford plea to second-degree arson. In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains his innocence but admits the prosecution had sufficient evidence to prove he committed the crime.

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said Sattizahn admitted to investigators that he poured charcoal lighter fluid in the hallway of his apartment and ignited it. Sattizahn said he started the fire because he was depressed about his girlfriend leaving him and his friends not helping him.

Sattizahn told investigators he sat on the sofa and watched the fire burn for a while and then left when he realized the fire was getting out of control.

The defense contended Sattizahn didn't understand that he was confessing.

Maybanks said Sattizahn faces 10 years in prison but will ask for probation at sentencing. Maybanks said he will not resist because Sattizahn has a mild to moderate mental disability, according to a mental evaluation.

Sattizahn will have to pay $5,000 in restitution, which is the deductible of the owner's insurance for the apartment building.

Maybanks raised an issue in July regarding use of public funds for an expert that Sattizahn wanted to hire for his case.

Sattizahn was represented by a private attorney who asked the court for $2,500 to hire an arson expert. The judge granted the request.

According to Iowa law, a judge can approve additional funds for an expert or some other cost to ensure an adequate defense if it's determined a defendant can't afford it. Many times a defendant's family pays for a private attorney but the defendant has no money.

Maybanks' concern was that the request for might set a pattern where private lawyers could 'raid” public funds when their retainer runs out.

Maybanks said Wednesday he didn't have a report from an arson expert that the defense hired, so he didn't know if there was one.