Placerville Newswire
  • Crime
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Get Started
Placerville NewsWire
  • Crime
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Placerville NewsWire
No Result
View All Result

Unanswered Questions Surround Key Witness in Caldor Fire Case

Uncovering Key Insights from Patrick's (Miner Mike) Interview in the Smiths' Investigation

Cris Alarcon by Cris Alarcon
January 2, 2024
in News
466 5
0
Unanswered Questions Surround Key Witness in Caldor Fire Case
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsappReddit

Please note: The following is a summary of an article authored by Kevin Cloud at KJC Media. You can read his article here: https://kjcmedia.net/2024/01/01/exclusive-audio-recording-of-calfire-da-witness-interview-contradicts-summary-report-used-in-caldor-fire-case-against-smiths/


El Dorado County (Jan 1 2024) – In the aftermath of the December 2021 arrests of David and Shane Smith for allegedly starting the Caldor Fire, a crucial witness, Michael Patrick, known as “Miner Mike,” emerged. Patrick’s account, shared with investigators, indicated the Smiths drove past his campsite on the day of the fire, raising questions about their involvement.

You might also like

Nevada-Sierra Red Fir Begins Journey to Become U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Nevada-Sierra Red Fir Begins Journey to Become U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

October 26, 2025
Shingle Springs Tribe Plans Par-3 Golf and Miniature Course South of Red Hawk Resort

Shingle Springs Tribe Plans Par-3 Golf and Miniature Course South of Red Hawk Resort

October 25, 2025

During pretrial hearings in November and December 2023, it was revealed that investigators, CalFire’s Erik Fiedler and DA’s Joe Ramsey, conducted an interview with Patrick on August 24, 2021. However, both investigators displayed significant lapses in memory during court proceedings.

Ramsey shockingly claimed not to recall the interview, later stating Fiedler led the questions and he might not have been paying attention. Fiedler, while able to describe the interview generally, couldn’t recall key details.

Defense attorneys requested the audio recording of the interview, which the DA provided on December 22, 2023, over two years after the interview.

The recording revealed Patrick’s account deviated from the summary used to secure arrest warrants for the Smiths. Patrick insisted the gunfire he heard came from atop the ridge, not the Cosumnes River, challenging the DA’s theory.

Patrick also mentioned hearing gunfire on the morning of August 14 and the previous evening, raising questions about other potential fire starters in the area.

The interview highlighted lapses in investigator interest regarding other shooters, the trajectory of gunfire, and efforts to identify them. Patrick’s belief that a campfire on the river’s other side caused the fire contradicted investigators’ conclusions.

The recording shed light on discrepancies between Patrick’s account and the DA’s summary, emphasizing the impact of how the interview was summarized on public perception.

Key questions arise about investigators’ recall lapses, their handling of Patrick’s information, and efforts to identify other shooters in the area. Patrick’s interview doesn’t exonerate the Smiths but underscores critical details for the ongoing investigation.

Further posts will delve into the legal definition of “reckless” and the implications of Patrick’s statements on the Caldor Fire case.


Hear Interview Here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xoiF7fubzR4-jSwXqAFczIaTmSxvkj7x/view

Source: READ MORE from KJC Media
Cris Alarcon

Cris Alarcon

Former Member: Executive Board of Directors, Treasurer, Boys & Girl Club of El Dorado County Western Slope. - Former Member: Board of Directors, Treasurer, Food Bank of El Dorado County. - Opening Team Dealer at Red Hawk Casino - Retried EDC Elections Department Inspector. - Youngest Charter Member of the Hangtown Kennel Club. - Political Strategist and Campaign Manager.

Related Stories

Nevada-Sierra Red Fir Begins Journey to Become U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Nevada-Sierra Red Fir Begins Journey to Become U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

by Cris Alarcon
October 26, 2025

A red fir cut near the Tahoe Sierra region is headed east to become this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree—highlighting...

Shingle Springs Tribe Plans Par-3 Golf and Miniature Course South of Red Hawk Resort

Shingle Springs Tribe Plans Par-3 Golf and Miniature Course South of Red Hawk Resort

by Cris Alarcon
October 25, 2025

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is teeing up a new 12-hole par-3 golf course, driving range, and 18-hole...

Rural Hunger Conference 2025: El Dorado Partners Reinforce Countywide Food Safety Net

Rural Hunger Conference 2025: El Dorado Partners Reinforce Countywide Food Safety Net

by Cris Alarcon
October 23, 2025

More than 30 agencies met at the Food Bank of El Dorado County’s Rural Hunger Conference to shore up the...

Mountain lions in El Dorado County peak at dusk and after dark, local monitoring shows

Mountain lions in El Dorado County peak at dusk and after dark, local monitoring shows

by Cris Alarcon
October 20, 2025

New local monitoring shows mountain-lion detections in El Dorado County cluster at dusk and after dark. Cameras capture a 1...

Recommended

Lt. Palmberg Graduates FBI National Academy; Sgt. Hamon Completes California POST Leadership Program

Lt. Palmberg Graduates FBI National Academy; Sgt. Hamon Completes California POST Leadership Program

June 6, 2025
EDSO Eagle

El Dorado County Arrests and Law Enforcement Activity – March 1, 2025

March 2, 2025

Popular Story

  • EDSO Eagle

    Rough Day in the County: From Broadway Robbery to Red Hawk Arrests

    698 shares
    Share 279 Tweet 175
  • South Lake Tahoe Council Appoints Cody Bass as Interim Mayor Amid Arrest, Former Mayor’s Embezzlement

    653 shares
    Share 261 Tweet 163
  • Five Arrests Across El Dorado County: Drugs, Assault, and Domestic Violence Mark a Rough Monday

    647 shares
    Share 259 Tweet 162
  • El Dorado County Sheriff Incident Log – October 24, 2025

    645 shares
    Share 258 Tweet 161
  • Sunday Crime Sweep: 8 Arrests Across El Dorado County — From Drunks to Burglars

    640 shares
    Share 256 Tweet 160
  • Buy JNews
  • Support Forum
  • Pre-sale Question
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Placerville Newswire Commentary is produced by the Placerville Newswire, a private service focusing on Placerville Local Area issues. All conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). You may find us in El Dorado County Placerville, CA 95667

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Landing Page
  • Buy JNews
  • Support Forum
  • Pre-sale Question
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Placerville Newswire Commentary is produced by the Placerville Newswire, a private service focusing on Placerville Local Area issues. All conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). You may find us in El Dorado County Placerville, CA 95667