SAN DIEGO (AP) — A key witness in the Navy’s case against a sailor accused of setting the fire that destroyed a U.S. warship last year in San Diego has testified he saw the suspect near the blaze's ignition point.
Ryan Mays is the suspect and was back in a military courtroom Tuesday for a preliminary hearing to determine if he will stand trial.
RELATED STORIES TO THE USS BONHOMME RICHARD:
Navy ship fire: Documents suggest sabotage, evidence tampering
57 treated for injuries after fire erupts aboard USS Bonhomme Richard
Navy: sailor accused of igniting warship was 'disgruntled'
Navy to hold hearing for sailor accused of igniting warship
Navy probe finds major failures in fire that destroyed ship
21 injured in fire aboard ship at Naval Base San Diego
Navy prosecutors accused him of setting it because he was disgruntled after dropping out of Navy SEAL training.
Petty Officer Kenji Velasco testified he saw Mays in the storage area where the fire began. Mays denies lighting the fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard in July 2020.