In a little more than a month in early 2010, 10 churches within a 40-mile radius burned to the ground in East Texas. Tensions were high during those weeks, as heartbroken congregations watched flames engulf building after building. While evidence at the scenes pointed to arson as the cause of the fires, tracking down a suspect took some time; there was no consistent pattern in the burnings and, for a while, no strong leads. It soon grew to be one of the largest criminal investigations in East Texas history. Little Hope was Arson, produced by theCollaborate & Goodnight Smoke, details the burnings, their impact on the community, and the strategy of the investigation, which eventually led to the arrest and conviction of Jason Bourque and Daniel McAllister. The film also features interviews with the two young men, both of whom are now serving life sentences, as well as conversations with their families.
Little Hope was Arson is available on iTunes and is currently playing in select theaters in Houston, Lubbock, Tyler, and Edom. To see a trailer and showtimes, go to littlehopewasarson.com.