Austin man sentenced to prison time, restitution on felony 1st degree arson charge in Mower County District Court

An Austin man charged with attempted murder for setting fire to a house at 304 11th Avenue SW in Austin in March of 2018 has been sentenced to prison time and restitution in Mower County District Court.

Wigham

In an amended court decision Tuesday, Wigham, who is currently incarcerated at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater was sentenced to 88 months in prison and $87,500 in restitution for a felony 1st degree arson charge.  Judge Jeffery Kritzer determined that Wigham will not be required to make any restitution payments while incarcerated, but after his release from prison, the Department of Corrections agent supervising Wigham on supervised release will determine an appropriate restitution payment plan based on Wigham’s income or ability to earn an income and his resources and obligations at that time.

Wigham was also initially charged with three felony counts of attempted 1st degree murder, premeditated, and three felony counts of attempted 1st degree murder with intent while committing a felony after Austin Police reported that he set fire to the residence in southwest Austin on March 7th, 2018, forcing the people inside to climb out onto the roof until they could be rescued. Wigham eventually pleaded guilty to the felony 1st degree arson charge, and the six felony counts of attempted 1st degree murder were all dismissed with his guilty plea in April of 2019.