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The Union City Fire Department responded to a fire at the
Pataria residence in the early morning hours.
There was a burning plastic gas can on the front yard; a trail of
gasoline extended from the front door, down the hallway, and to the master
bedroom; and the master bedroom had been doused in gasoline and ignited. Even though Mr. Pataria was observed trying
to extinguish the fire, his story that he was using gasoline to clean
something, Mr. Pataria was charged with arson and the attempted murder of his
wife and children who were sleeping in an adjacent bedroom.
We performed an investigation and analysis that demonstrated
the pattern was consistent with a failed suicide attempt. The attempted murder charges were dropped.
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