WW arson suspect enters guilty plea to Aug. 2023 fire

By Dan Thesman on Thursday, June 20th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – An arson suspect arrested last fall in connection with a fire in Walla Walla recently entered a guilty plea to second-degree malicious mischief and second-degree burglary.

Matthew R. Hammond of Walla Walla was arrested October 24, 2023, in connection with a fire at 409 W. Rees Ave. on August 7, 2023.

Detectives from the Walla Walla Police Department collected a DNA sample from the crime scene which was sent to the Washington State Crime Lab for analysis. The sample matched Hammond’s DNA which was already on file from a previous felony conviction.

A date for Hammond’s sentencing hearing has not been set yet.

MyCB file photo