Jury convicts 19-year-old in firebombing that hurt a child

(ENID) - A Garfield County jury is recommending 65 years in prison for an Enid man convicted in a firebombing that severely injured a 7-year-old girl. <br><br>The panel deliberated for three hours on Wednesday

Thursday, May 9th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(ENID) - A Garfield County jury is recommending 65 years in prison for an Enid man convicted in a firebombing that severely injured a 7-year-old girl.

The panel deliberated for three hours on Wednesday before finding Aaron James Weiland guilty of possessing or manufacturing an explosive resulting in injury, conspiracy and first-degree arson.

The jury suggested 35 years in prison on the explosives charge, five years on the conspiracy charge and 25 years for arson.

Prosecutors charged Weiland and Seth Bussell, 16, on Oct. 18.

According to court documents, Bussell and Weiland threw a brick wrapped in a gasoline-soaked sock through the window of an Enid residence and then threw in a gasoline can Oct. 5.

Weiland told police another man paid him and Bussell $300 to start the fire, according to the affidavit. No charges have been filed against that man.

Ravyn Darst, who was asleep on the couch, had severe burns on half her body. She is still receiving treatment.

Bussell, who has been certified as a youthful offender for trial, is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

If convicted, Bussell faces no more than a 10-year sentence. He will stay in a juvenile center until his 18th birthday, when a judge will decide whether he is ready to be released or must serve the remaining sentence in an adult prison.