Former Wall Street banker commits suicide in court after arson guilty verdict – burning down his mansion to collect insurance
Michael Marin, a former Wall Street trader convicted of setting his Phoenix mansion on fire in a desperate ploy to get out of his mortgage put his hands to his mouth — seemingly in shock — and collapsed after the verdict was read Thursday.
He later died, but authorities are wondering if the hand gesture was actually a final, preplanned act to poison himself, according to reports.
About five minutes after learning his fate, a video showed him covering his mouth with his hands and swallowing, according to Fox 10 News in Phoenix…Moments later…he appeared as if he was sobbing, but his body twisted into violent convulsions…Ten minutes later, Marin was put into an ambulance and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead…
…He had fallen into serious debt and could no longer afford the $17,250 monthly mortgage payments. In addition, he stood to gain a $650,000 insurance claim, according to reports…
Fire officials suspected that the early-morning inferno began in more than one place, and found flammable materials laid out around the house, the Arizona Republic reported. No one was hurt at the time, and it was discovered Marin had been living in another, smaller home at the time.
He was charged with arson, and his trial began five weeks ago.
The jury found him guilty. Obviously something Marin suspected was a strong possibility. Courtroom security was up to Arizona legal standards and he was able to bring whatever he used to take his own life — into the courtroom.
Holler at your Congress-critter to support Bernie Sanders' bill to 
At 0:34 is when it looks like he put something in his mouth and swallowed.
Michelle at Motley News
June 30, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Actually, it looks like this guy got royally screwed by the system. The reason his sentence is so long is that they charged him with arson of an occupied structure, which has an element of attempted murder involved. The thing is that the only “occupant” was Michael Marin himself, but they managed to twist that around to him “endangering lives”.
If you carelessly drop an anvil on your foot, they do not charge you with negligence because, well, it’s your foot. They are punishing Mr. Marin for attempting to murder himself, which is ridiculous. I can see why he would be upset. Clearly, the law meant other people, not yourself.
Deb
July 28, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Stretching a point to make a point. The law differentiates between a residence and an unoccupied house. There is a great deal more in the law beyond the description cited in court. Just like a DWI with children in the car gets charged with Child Abuse. Doesn’t mean he was beating his kids.
Marin endangered the lives of his neighbors and every fireman called to respond to his arson.
moss
July 28, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Still the punishment really for him if he lived is way more than should have been. Something he really didn’t deserve. So yes, the system did screw him over. And him killing himself is definitely a better option than 10 years to however long of hell in prison.
Anonyoas
August 30, 2012 at 2:40 pm