Digital evidence presented Monday places 21-year-old Holden Matthews at the scene of all three fires he is accused of setting, investigators and St. Landry Parish prosecutors said. Louisiana State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, testifying at Matthews arraignment and bail hearing in the St. Landry Parish District Courthouse, said photos and videos from the churches were pulled from Matthews’ cell phone. They were taken at the scenes of the three fires as the fires were starting and before and after emergency responders were on scene. Photos also show Matthews returned to the scenes of the fires days later, when the churches were reduced to rubble, Browning testified. Browning said agents found copies of news reports discussing the fire on Matthews’ cell phone that he altered to take responsibility for the crimes.
“He superimposed himself on these news reports claiming responsibility for these fires,” he said.