Jim Westra
LANSING -
A former businessman convicted of an arson fire that destroyed a Greenville landmark has died in prison.
James Clinton "Jim" Westra died at the age of 80 on Wednesday, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. No cause of death was given.
On Jan. 28, 2009, a Montcalm County jury convicted Westra of arson of a dwelling place, arson of insured property, conspiracy to commit arson of a dwelling and conspiracy to commit arson of insured property in the Sept. 8, 2003, fire that destroyed Greenville's Haunted Mill, which he owned.
Westra was sentenced to 4 1/2 to 20 years in prison and had served 10 months at the time of his death.
In 2008 an accomplice and former employee of Westra's, Kyle Jones, 25, of Greenville, pleaded guilty to arson of insured property. On March 5, 2009, he was sentenced to from 4 to 10 years in prison.
Jones later testified during Westra's trial, saying Westra promised him money to burn down the Haunted Mill.
James Clinton "Jim" Westra died at the age of 80 on Wednesday, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. No cause of death was given.
On Jan. 28, 2009, a Montcalm County jury convicted Westra of arson of a dwelling place, arson of insured property, conspiracy to commit arson of a dwelling and conspiracy to commit arson of insured property in the Sept. 8, 2003, fire that destroyed Greenville's Haunted Mill, which he owned.
Westra was sentenced to 4 1/2 to 20 years in prison and had served 10 months at the time of his death.
In 2008 an accomplice and former employee of Westra's, Kyle Jones, 25, of Greenville, pleaded guilty to arson of insured property. On March 5, 2009, he was sentenced to from 4 to 10 years in prison.
Jones later testified during Westra's trial, saying Westra promised him money to burn down the Haunted Mill.
