Two West Palm Beach men have been accused of igniting a fire in late March that spread to three homes in Riviera Beach. Anton Clark and Alphonso Rivers were recently booked into the Palm Beach County jail, each facing three counts of arson, while Clark additionally faces a charge of trespassing, according to jail records.
Clark, 43, and Rivers, 60, are alleged to have started the March 27 fire that damaged three distinct homes on a property located on West 14th Street. These residences were rented out as separate entities and were not interconnected, as per court records.
An investigation conducted by a State Fire Marshal, which included scene examination and witness interviews, classified the fire as incendiary. This means the fire was either set deliberately or originated under conditions unlikely to have caused it naturally, according to the probable cause affidavit. The estimated damage to the three structures was around $10,000.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured both suspects at the scene shortly before 10 a.m. on the day of the fire, which is the approximate time it started. Authorities later apprehended Clark near the fire scene after receiving a report from the property owner indicating that Clark was present outside the damaged area.
About a month after the incident, officers interviewed Rivers, who allegedly acknowledged that the vehicle shown in photographs connected to the investigation belonged to him, the affidavit states.
Potential Charges
- Arson (3 counts each): Accusations of intentionally setting fire to the three homes.
- Trespassing (Clark only): Unauthorized presence on the property where the fire occurred.
Possible Defenses
Alibi: Demonstrating that either or both suspects were not at the location when the fire started.
- Evidence Needed: Witness testimonies, GPS data, or other verifiable records showing their whereabouts.
Mistaken Identity: Arguing that the individuals captured in surveillance video are not the suspects.
- Evidence Needed: Witnesses, expert analysis of the video, or proof of similar-looking individuals in the vicinity.
Lack of Intent: Claiming the fire was not set intentionally but occurred accidentally due to other factors.
- Evidence Needed: Expert testimony on fire causes, lack of accelerants or other indicators of arson.
Insufficient Evidence: Challenging the sufficiency or credibility of the evidence linking them to the arson.
- Evidence Needed: Pointing out inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case or unreliability of witness statements.
Duress or Coercion: Asserting that one or both suspects were forced or coerced into participating in the act.
- Evidence Needed: Testimonies or evidence showing threats or coercion by another party.
Questioning Investigative Methods: Critiquing the techniques used by the Fire Marshal and investigators in determining the fire’s cause.
- Evidence Needed: Expert analysis questioning the reliability of the investigative methods or findings.
Vehicle Misidentification (for Rivers): Arguing that the vehicle seen in the photographs was not his or was not involved in the crime.
- Evidence Needed: Proof of vehicle’s location at the time of the fire or lack of connection to the incident.
Suppression of Surveillance Evidence: Contesting the admissibility of the surveillance video if it was obtained improperly or violates privacy rights.
- Evidence Needed: Legal motions and arguments challenging how the evidence was collected or used.
