TYLER, Texas (ABP) -- The mother of one of two men sentenced Jan. 10 to
life in prison for burning down a string of East Texas churches said she
believes the punishment does not fit the crime.
"No one was hurt," Kimberly Bourque, mother of 22-year-old Jason Robert Bourque, told the Tyler Telegraph
in the hallway outside the Smith County 114th District courtroom where
Judge Christi Kennedy sentenced her son to five life sentences for
first-degree arson and three 20-year sentences for attempted arson.
"Murderers don't get these harsh sentences."
She told the newspaper that she did not condone actions of her son
or Daniel George McAllister, 20, who are suspected of torching 10
churches in three counties over a five week period beginning New Year's
Day in 2010. She added that she had hoped for mercy, however, and was
heartbroken by the sentences.
