BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The man accused of setting the massive fire that destroyed homes and businesses in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood made his first court appearance Tuesday morning, Nov. 4.
Joshua Mitchell, 42, is charged with second-degree arson and is being held in the Jefferson County Jail. During the hearing, Mitchell filled out a request to be represented by a public defender.
Mitchell is also facing multiple charges for a fire he is accused of setting at Big Escape Rooms located at 1210 20th Street S in Suite 250.
At times, Mitchell could be seen laughing and smiling. At one point, Judge Bell called him and another inmate to the bench to remind them they were in a courtroom and that their talking was disruptive.
Investigators say Mitchell is linked to the fires that broke out along 20th Street South early Friday morning. Those fires left about 19 people without homes and destroyed several local businesses…