Helle v. Brush

On November 25, 1972, the Orpheum Hotel in Joliet Page 18 was destroyed by a fire which took the life of George Jorgensen. The defendant, Harlow Barto, confessed to setting the fire and was indicted for arson and murder. Following discussions between the prosecution and the defense, the State nol-prossed the murder charge and filed an information charging involuntary manslaughter. The defendant then tendered a plea of guilty to the charges of arson and involuntary manslaughter. The court accepted the plea and imposed the recommended sentences of 6 to 20 years for arson and 3 to 10 years for involuntary manslaughter.