Man pleads guilty to throwing Molotov cocktail at Boone County Courthouse
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A man who was accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the entrance of the Boone County Courthouse in January pleaded guilty to two felonies on Tuesday.
Nicholas Walters, 39, of Columbia, pleaded guilty to arson and resisting arrest. He was originally charged with first-degree assault, first-degree arson, armed criminal action, resisting arrest and drug possession. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will get credit for time served.
Court documents in previous reporting say Walters was seen on camera walking up to the courthouse with a glass jar that contained gasoline and paper. He threw the Molotov cocktail at the front entrance that caused “an eruption of fire” under the door, the statement says.
Another person exiting the building was almost set on fire and ran away as flames ignited, the statement says. That person stated in court documents that they smelled gasoline.
Walters allegedly admitted to making the incendiary object and asked police to tell the court he was sorry, court documents say. Police also found him with methamphetamine and a pipe.