James Andrew Phillip Aplin has been jailed for at least four years on charges of arsony. Thirty-six year old Aplin, a resident of Western Australia, suffers from emotional instability and behavioral problems. As he previously attempted suicide, Judge David stated that the three January blazes were most likely another suicide attempt. The maximum penalty for this offense is 20 years.


Considering the last court hearing I wrote about let the offender out on the insanity plea, I find it hard to justify that this man, who is obviously unstable, is being forced to spend four years in a prison that will almost surely debilitate him even further, rather than getting the help he needs in a hospital.