As construction continues for the rebuilding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints church building located on Ottley Avenue, new information arises concerning the minor who caused the accident in the first place.
The fourteen-year-old girl who set fire to the building on April 12, 2021, was not prosecuted by the organization, even though there were millions of dollars in damages done to the building. The building was left a pile of rubble with a bare structure left intact. The gang initiation caused the loss of not only a religious meetinghouse but also a community building.
Initially, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints decided not to rebuild the church, but the Fruita City Council voted to ask the church to reconsider building a new church. They wrote a letter to the organization and they decided to rebuild.
As stated in the Bill of Rights, a speedy and fair trial was also required for the teen.
“Juveniles have the same speedy trial rights as adults, and prosecutors must show the same exemptions in any request that is made without a defendant’s consent to continue a case beyond that time before a court can grant it, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled Thursday (1/18/24).” As stated by the Daily Sentinel. Because there wasn’t a speedy trial, the juvenile will face no charges.
Sophomore Macy Slack attended the building before it burned down. She says “I’m really upset that there isn’t any punishment for the girl who did that. We have to drive so far to church now where we could walk before. ”
Many Fruita residents now have to drive close to twenty minutes to attend church services in different meetinghouses. Although this was the reality for the last couple of years, the church is set to be completed in September 2024.
As the church is nearing completion, many members are simply happy that it will be done and operational. Although there are no charges for the juvenile, there is hope in the hearts of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to rebuild memories in a new building.
