Arson suspect says he was 'forced to start those fires' - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

"I was forced to do it. I was forced to start those fires. I had no choice in the matter."

That's what Anthony Weaver told a FOX6 News photographer Thursday morning about an hour before he was to appear in court on arson charges. Weaver is charged in connection to a series of fires set in Ensley in May.

"I was approached by a police officer and asked to perform a, quote, 'public service' to burn down a house," Weaver said.

That Birmingham police officer, he claims, was Jason Arnold - someone Weaver says he'd met a few times before. But when asked, Weaver didn't give many details on their relationship, so it's unclear how well they knew each other.

Arnold and Weaver are both charged with setting fires reported in the 2000 block of Ensley Avenue and the 2000 block of Warrior Road.

Weaver says it was May 14, in the parking lot of the Five Points West Kangaroo gas station when Arnold approached him and asked him to burn down a house on Warrior Road.

"I informed him at that time that I had no intention of doing it. But he told me if I didn't do it, he had drugs on him that I was going to get one way or the other," Weaver said in an exclusive interview with FOX6.

When our photographer asked Weaver why Arnold approached him, Weaver responded, "I don't know. I have no idea. I was just there at the time."

Later Thursday morning, as he waited for his hearing in a Jefferson County courtroom, Weaver continued telling his story to me both in person and through a handwritten note

He admitted he has a criminal past and that in the late 1980s he was sent to prison for armed robbery, fraudulent use of a credit card and theft of property.

But he says after serving time, he furthered his education, earning a degree from UAB and starting classes at Samford University, information FOX6 confirmed with both universities.

He says he stayed out of trouble since 2004 until Arnold approached. Then, he says, he felt trapped.

"There's nobody in town that can to go any judge and say, the cops put this crap on me because nobody's going to listen to that," Weaver said.

"I was screwed from the start. Damned if I did...damned if I didn't," he said.

Weaver and Arnold both decided to waive their preliminary hearings in court yesterday. Their cases will be sent to a grand jury.

Jason Arnold's attorney, Joe Basgier, said Weaver's claims now are much different than the ones he made to police shortly after being arrested. He also said it's important to remember Weaver's criminal record compared with the military and police background of his client.

"You've got to consider the source," Basgier stated. "[Arnold]'s a community hero. Mr. Weaver is not. Mr. Weaver is a dangerous felon who's charged with multiple felonies right now and will do anything to help himself."

As for the charges Jason Arnold now faces, Basgier says he is heartbroken and baffled by them.

When we asked if his client set any of the fires, Basgier said, "I can't comment on that right now. Actually, no. My client did not set any fires."

Basgier also said he cannot and will not comment on whether his client was the mastermind behind the fires.

A judge ruled yesterday that Arnold, Weaver and Curtis Thornton, the third suspect charged in connection to the Ensley arsons, are not allowed to have contact with each other. All three suspects are out of jail on bond.

We contacted the Birmingham Police Department and Thornton's attorney to see if either would respond to Weaver's allegations. Both parties declined to comment.

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