Cape man found guilty of burning neighbors' cars

A 45-year-old Cape Girardeau man charged with setting fire to two of his neighbors' cars was found guilty Wednesday by a jury in the Jackson courthouse.

The jury recommended a three-year prison sentence for Johnny W. Dunger, of 512 N. Middle St., on each of the two counts of knowingly burning, said Cape Girardeau County prosecutor Morley Swingle.

Circuit Judge William L. Syler accepted the verdict and scheduled an April 16 sentencing hearing for Dunger. Syler revoked Dunger's bond and set new bail at $100,000 cash.

"This jury sent a strong message that if you knowingly burn up someone's car in Cape Girardeau, you will go to prison," Swingle said.

Victims Rachael Lamb and Brent Ellis, of 519 Middle St., testified that at about 2:20 a.m. on June 14 they heard an explosion outside their house and saw both of their cars were on fire in their driveway, Swingle said.

Both cars were destroyed in the fire, he said.

Cape Girardeau fire Capt. Charles Brawley testified the fire investigation revealed the car fires had been intentionally set, with accelerants used to ignite the fire, Swingle said.

Brawley investigated Dunger's residence after obtaining permission and found petroleum floating on top of the water in the kitchen sink's trap and a pair of tennis shoes that smelled strongly of gasoline, he said.

Dunger, who appeared to be intoxicated, claimed he had been home sleeping and denied having problems with Lamb earlier in the evening.

"He could not explain why his shoes and sink would smell like gasoline," Swingle said.

carel@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127