Who is Craig Tamanaha? Wiki, Biography, Age, Accused, Fox News Christmas Tree Fire Suspect

Craig Tamanaha Biography – Wiki

Craig Tamanaha is accused of setting fire to the Fox News Christmas tree in New York City in a dramatic fire captured on multiple videos.

You can watch videos of the 50 foot Christmas tree burning throughout this article. The tree stands in front of a building that houses the FOX News Channel, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post.

Age

Craig Tamanaha is 49-years-old.

Fox News Christmas Tree Fire Suspect

“Early this morning, a 49-year-old man climbed a Christmas tree at 48 St & 6th Ave in Manhattan and started a fire that caused the tree to go up in flames. The fire was extinguished and responding officers arrested the suspect, who has been charged with this crime, ”the New York Police Department wrote on Twitter. It’s called the American Christmas tree.

The Police Commissioner Says the Motive Is Not Clear

New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea told WPIX: “The reason I don’t think is clear at this point. He is an individual we know. He has a series of low-level arrests and drug arrests. Earlier this year he was issued some appearance tickets and he did not return to court, which is, unfortunately, something we see far too often. He also has some low-level arrests out of state, I think he’s Texas. ”

Shea said police believe that he “is one that he works alone … it’s probably a bit preliminary to say what the motivation was.” Was mental illness a factor? However, he said police are still investigating the motive.

The videos captured the burning Christmas tree as well as the charred remains of it. Online records indicate that Tamanaha was born in Hawaii and has lived in Louisiana.

Tamanaha Is Homeless

According to CBS News, Tamanaha was charged with “criminal mischief, reckless danger, arson, criminal nuisance, breaking and entering, criminal tampering and disorderly conduct.”

Her crimes do not qualify for bail, according to Fox News.

Criminal defense attorney Mark Bederow, a former prosecutor, told Fox: “There is no question that the legislature has to re-evaluate the nooks and crannies of the bail statute because it is leading to absurd results.” He added to Fox: “You would have to intentionally damage a building or vehicle by starting a fire or explosion as a hate crime, which is an extraordinarily high bar for eligibility for bail. Having a personal bias or cheering for Christmas is not legally enough. ”

Police seized a lighter from the suspect, according to CBS News, which obtained an internal document from Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott, who wrote it was an “act of cowardice.”

“We are in the process of building and installing a new tree as a message that there can be peace, light, and joy even during a dark time like this,” Scott said, according to an internal Fox News memo obtained by CBS, which reported that the Tree is located in the center of town and the suspect is homeless.

No injuries were reported and Yamanaha was quickly detained.