29 days ago
JAMESTOWN, CA - A state prison inmate pleaded guilty this week to burglary, arson and escape charges, ending a 15-month ordeal for a Tuolumne County family.
George Lopez, 36, admitted burning down the landmark hilltop home nicknamed "Big Whiskey" by Clint Eastwood, who stayed there while filming "Unforgiven."
The home had also been used by Michael J. Fox while he was shooting one of the "Back to the Future" movies. Homeowner Kari Faughnan said the fire consumed priceless antiques and family heirlooms.
Cal Fire arson investigator Capt. Rommie Jones speculated Lopez torched the house with a candle to cover evidence that he stayed there for two days following his July 2008 escape from the Sierra Conservation Center, which is two miles away.
Lopez was later captured in a vacant firehouse in nearby Chinese Camp with more than 100 items taken from the house.
"I didn't want him to get away with it. I knew that he burned the house down," Faughnan told News10.
"It was the only home I knew. I miss it," said Faughnan's son Wyatt, 11.
Faughnan pressed investigators to pursue the arson charge even though it had no impact on her insurance settlement. After denying the arson allegation for more than a year, Lopez finally agreed to enter a guilty plea in exchange for an additional eight years in prison. He will be formally sentenced Nov. 16.
Faughan said she dreaded the prospect of sitting through a trial. "The fact that he says he is guilty and has taken the plea bargain has made our life so much better because we need to move on," Faughnan said.
Faughnan spoke to News10 from the edge of a newly-poured concrete foundation at the site of Big Whiskey while several carpenters worked behind her. A new 4,400 square foot log home will be finished next spring.
by George Warren, GWarren@news10.net
KXTV/News10
