Trial date set for suspect in Millennium Park arson - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Trial date set for suspect in Millennium Park arson

Posted: Updated:
By Lee Peck - bio | email

  • More Local NewsLocal

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 8:09 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:09:55 GMT
    It's an industrial facility in Allen parish called "Natural Advantage."  But some residents feel they're at a disadvantage living near the plant due to odors and other concerns.  But the company says it's
    It's an industrial facility in Allen Parish called "Natural Advantage." But some residents feel they're at a disadvantage living near the plant due to odors and other concerns.

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 8:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:05:21 GMT
    The Sunrise Facebook friend of the day for Thursday, May 23 is Douglas J. Brackbill. If you'd like the chance to be our next Facebook friend of the day, just like the Sunrise Facebook page and leave
    The Sunrise Facebook friend of the day for Thursday, May 23 is Douglas J. Brackbill.

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 8:04 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:04:12 GMT
    It took 51 years but 73-year-old Felix Vail is finally facing serious questions in the 1962 death of his wife Mary Horton. Felix claimed they were out checking trotlines on the Calcasieu River when Mary
    It took 51 years to arrest suspect Felix Vail in the murder of his wife Mary Horton. KPLC's Lee Peck spoke to her brothers about the latest developments in the case.
    •   
LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) -

The suspect in the Millennium Park arson is set to go to trial before the end of the year. Seth Arceneaux remains free on $60,000 bond. According to the Calcasieu Court dockets, he will be tried before a jury on December 5th. Judge Clayton Davis will preside over the trial.

Arceneaux was arrested on January 21st of this year less than two weeks after the park went up in flames. Without getting into the specifics of the case Calcasieu Lead Prosecutor Cynthia Killingsworth said she is confident with the evidence they have collected and that they will be able to seat a jury despite this being a high-profile case.

"The people of this parish are really good at separating things they hear in the news. Last week when we were picking a jury it was the same way. I thought that it might be a problem but it really wasn't. They listen to the news, but they don't their decisions based on what they see on the news or read in the newspaper," said Killingsworth. 

Arceneaux was 17 years old at the time of the crime. According to records he's first time offender.

Meanwhile less than 11 months after the fire the City of Lake Charles along with the community has kept their promise to rebuild the park bigger and better. The volunteer phase of the work on the new park wrapped up last week. The only thing left to finish is the rubberized surface. Officials expect to have a grand re-opening ceremony within the next five to six weeks.