Ohio teen sentenced to 9 years in prison in arson case

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — A 17-year-old honor student accused of trying to kill his parents by tying their bedroom doors shut and setting their suburban southwest Ohio home on fire was sentenced to nine years in prison today.

The teen pleaded guilty last week to two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of aggravated arson in adult court. He could have received up to 33 years in prison, assistant Butler County prosecutor Josh Muennich said.

Both parents escaped the Oct. 23 fire at their Liberty Township home, though the teen’s father hurt his legs jumping from a window.

Investigators said the teen tied the doors shut with rope and started the fire because he was allegedly angry with his parents over his laptop being taken away. The teen kept a journal in which he detailed anger against his parents and himself, authorities said.

The Associated Press isn’t naming the teen or his parents because of his age.