Court hears calls with accused church arsonist and wife [Video]

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – On the second day of his trial, jurors heard what Eric Ridenour said to his wife about his views on women and homosexuals in the church leadership positions.

He’s charged with setting fire to two Douglas churches on May 22, 2023.

Not only did Ridenour express his views to his wife in their phone calls while he was in jail, but he also referred to his actions.

Ridenour has expressed his disapproval of women and homosexuals in positions of authority in the church. He’s charged with setting fire to First Presbyterian Church, which has a female pastor, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, which had an openly gay vicar at the time.

In phone calls between Ridenour and his wife in the months after his arrest, he told her to find scriptures relating to homosexuality and women in the church. He said he wanted them for …