Hero-turned-suspect pleads guilty to arson

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An Indianapolis man once hailed as a hero , but then named as a suspect in a fatal fire last summer , has pleaded guilty to arson charges in exchange for the prosecutor dropping murder charges.

Gary Allen was arrested just days after the fire that killed his girlfriend’s mother and her quadriplegic son in May 2011. He was also living in the house in the 1100 block of South State Street at the time and claimed he had tried to rescue his housemate, and initially had spoken to the media, saying he hoped whoever was responsible would go to prison “for the rest of their life.”

According to court documents , Allen started the fire by lighting a mattress on the porch on fire. Investigators said the family was being evicted, and a dispute between the family and the landlord prompted Allen’s actions.

Police said Allen confessed to setting the fire, though Allen subsequently said that confession came under pressure . On Monday, though, he pleaded guilty to two counts of arson, a Class A felony. He had faced two counts of murder that were dropped as part of the plea deal.

His sentencing is set for 8:30 a.m. July 11.