Jacques guilty in church fire case

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - After a 15 day trial and about two and a half days of deliberating, a jury found 26-year old Michael Jacques guilty on all charges in connection with a fire at the Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield.

Jacques was found guilty of three counts conspiring against civil rights, destruction of religious property and using fire to commit a felony.

As they jury read its verdict, Jacques’s family broke down into tears, a couple jurors were crying as well.

Jacques and two friends were charged with burning down the Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield hours after President Barack Obama was elected in 2008. Those friends pleaded guilty then pointed the finger at Jacques.

Prosecutors said Jacques had a history of racism, but shortly after the verdict was read Jacques told 22News he is not racist and was shocked by the verdict. "They got it all wrong, I am innocent."

His attorney Lori Levinson says they will be appealing the verdict.

Jacques is free for the night, he has to turn himself in by noon on Friday, that’s because his dad is at the hospital on life support. During the trial he and his family split their time between the court room and the hospital.

Jacques could face up to 60 years in prison.