Sailor Acquitted of Setting Fire That Destroyed Massive Ship

Sailor Acquitted of Setting Fire That Destroyed Massive Ship
Fire crews spray water from the dock onto the side of the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego on July 12, 2020. Gregory Bull/AP Photo
The Associated Press
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SAN DIEGO—A military judge on Friday acquitted a sailor of arson in a fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard, a blow to the Navy as it faces allegations of improper training and maintenance of the $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship.

Ryan Sawyer Mays, 21, deeply exhaled when the verdict was read, put both hands on the defense table, broke into sobs and hugged supporters in the audience at Naval Base San Diego.