Fort Worth Homeless Man Gets Seven Years For Firebombing Wendy Davis' Senate Office

On March 20, 2012, a year before her filibuster against abortion restrictions catapulted her to national stardom and a gubernatorial bid, state Senator Wendy Davis had the singular distinction of having her Fort Worth office firebombed. Davis wasn't in her office, and no one was injured, but the bag that...

By Eric Nicholson

April 14, 2014

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On March 20, 2012, a year before her filibuster against abortion restrictions catapulted her to national stardom and a gubernatorial bid, state Senator Wendy Davis had the singular distinction of having her Fort Worth office firebombed.

Davis wasn't in her office, and no one was injured, but the bag that was thrown at her door, filled with a half dozen Molotov cocktails, did cause a small fire that was quickly extinguished by an employee. It also landed 42-year-old Cedric Carmond Steele in jail.

Steele pleaded guilty to an arson charge today and agreed to a seven-year prison term, according to Tarrant County prosecutors.

Deputy Chief District Attorney Jack Strickland said he spoke with Davis before accepting Steele's plea and that she was in agreement with the punishment.

Steele does not seem to have had a political motive. The district attorney's office describes him as a "homeless man with a history of mental illness."

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