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.
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
