An expert witness in the arson trial of former television show host and City Council candidate Richard Cookston "Rick" Igou said the fire at his Skatin' Jakes firm in Hixson was deliberately set.
Chuck Knife, top arson investigator for the Travelers Indemnity Company, on Friday said there was evidence of two different fires being set inside the skating rink.
He said it appeared a flammable liquid had been poured out and then ignited. He said an almost-empty bottle of rubbing alcohol was found at the scene.
The witness, who is from Columbus, Mo., said accidental causes were ruled out.
Defense attorneys earlier told the jury in the courtroom of Judge Rebecca Stern on Thursday afternoon that many facets of the state's case do not add up.
Igou, 51, told the jury he is "not guilty" of both charges - arson and filing a fraudulent insurance claim.
Igou has filed suit against the insurance company in Circuit Court. He sued Travelers Indemnity Company of Illinois, saying they had not paid off on his claim on the fire that destroyed his rink on North Access Road near the Dupont Parkway.
The plaintiff said in the Circuit Court complaint that damages in the fire exceeded $1.2 million. He filed a claim of $600,000 on the structure and $86,768 on the contents, but the firm has refused to pay.
He was arrested last August after a 2 1/2 month investigation by officers with the Chattanooga Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Division.
The fire severely damaged Skatin’ Jakes at 4300 North Access Road. Capt. Randy Jacks earlier said the physical evidence obtained on the scene suggested that arson was involved. “There were multiple points of origin with no logical source of ignition.”
Igou at one time had a TV show on Channel 61. He ran for the City Council in 1983 in a public works race won by Paul Clark.
Prosecutor Dean Ferraro told the jury it was a situation of "desperate people do desperate things." He said Igou was in financial trouble because the rink was losing money and he owed his ex-wife and others. Igou filed bankruptcy in 1993.
The prosecutor said Igou was one of only four people with access to the rink, and he was seen there shortly before the fire broke out about 9 a.m. on April 19, 2000. He said there was no sign of forced entry and that it was ruled that the blaze was not accidentally caused.
He said Igou was "inconsistent" in two statements to the insurance company and one to police.
The prosecutor said Igou called his insurance agent three days before the blaze to make sure he was still covered. He said he a fire restoration expert shortly after the fire that "it's better than hitting the lottery."
Attorney John Cavett said Igou owned debt-free the rink as well as his house, land and vehicles valued at over $200,000.
He said he had spent almost $90,000 fixing up Skatin' Jakes.
The attorney said someone planning to burn the business would not have tried it in broad daylight by a busy highway.
He said most of the state's case was worked up by the insurance company's expert, who came here two days after the fire.
He said Igou had an earlier insurance policy, but he let it lapse. He said the current policy was for a smaller amount than the first one.
Elizabeth Green, who lives near the rink, said she saw Igou at the business about 8 or 8:30 that morning.
Russell Terry, who works at Gailco Galleries nearby, said he also saw him. He said he saw him walk toward the mailbox and then leave in his green Ford truck.
Igou was at a Waffle House having breakfast when he got a call about the fire.
He was so upset at the fire scene that emergency personnel had him go to the hospital to be checked.