Caltech Grad Gets Prison for SUV Arsons

Los Angeles - A former Caltech physics graduate student linked to millions of dollars in firebombing damage to dozens of SUVs in the San Gabriel Valley was resentenced today in Los Angeles to 100 months in federal prison.

With time already served and good behavior, William Cottrell, 29, is expected to be released from prison in a year and a half.

Cottrell was convicted in 2004 in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles of conspiracy to commit arson and multiple counts of arson. He was sentenced the next year to eight years and three months behind bars and ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution for the alleged eco-terrorism attack.

But in September, a federal appeals court overturned all but the conspiracy count.

U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner today imposed the original sentence on the remaining conviction, the maximum sentence for which is 10 years.

"The acts were really heinous -- especially at a time when this kind of thing was very disturbing to the public," Klausner said.

"There's no question this was done to intimidate people," the judge said. "He was lucky nobody was killed. This could've well been a murder case."

Authorities say Cottrell and two other people -- who remain at large -- burned or vandalized dozens of SUVs in a 2003 environmental protest.

The early-morning firebombing and graffiti spree damaged more than 130 vehicles at West Covina car dealerships and outside a few private residences in the San Gabriel Valley. A parts building at a Hummer dealership was also scorched.

Cottrell, wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, apologized to the court today for his actions.

"I am sorry -- there was no intention of hurting anyone," he said. "I would just like to go back to physics, if possible. All I really want to do now is go back to physics and do research."

In arguing for time served, Cottrell's defense attorney, W. Michael Mayock, said Cottrell is a brilliant physics student who has the potential to make history in the mathematics field.

"He may be the Einstein of the century for all we know," the lawyer told Klausner. "He is just a towering talent in this particular area."

Klausner agreed that Cottrell possesses unusual skills, citing "the brilliance and talent" of the defendant.

But the judge also pointed out that Cotrell has never taken responsibility for the arson.

"There's no question this is a God-given talent," the judge said.

"Am I sad to see him in prison? You bet," he continued. "But there has to be accountability for what you've done. This is a rampage that went on for several hours -- and you certainly did not play a minor role."

During trial, Mayock attempted to argue that Cottrell suffered from Asperger's syndrome -- a form of autism that affects understanding of social situations. However, Klausner would not allow a defense based upon the claim.

In February, the three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Cottrell's conviction and sentence but revised its ruling in an unpublished opinion two months ago.

In its amended ruling, the appeals court said the exclusion of expert testimony during the trial to show Cottrell suffered from Asperger's was improper.

"Evidence of Asperger's syndrome could have assisted the jury to determine whether Cottrell had the specific intent" required for an arson conviction, the panel's ruling stated.

Mayock today argued again that Cottrell's affliction should be taken into consideration during resentencing.

The illness "makes his time in prison more difficult" than it would be if Cottrell was otherwise healthy, Mayock said.

But Klausner shut down that argument, asserting that the syndrome "does not prevent the defendant from knowing the difference between right and wrong."