By Associated Press
Mobile, AL – A federal magistrate judge has refused to release a Gulf Shores businessman before trial on charges of burning down his $1 million restaurant property during a dispute with a tenant.
Former Auburn University punter Tommy Lunceford has been charged in Mobile with arson, obstruction of justice and intimidating law enforcement officers who investigated the 3:30 a.m. blaze on Nov. 8, 2007, at Nick's restaurant.
A trial date for the 62-year-old Lunceford has not been set.
If convicted and given consecutive sentences on all counts, he could get 49 years in prison.
U.S. Magistrate Judge William Cassady ordered Lunceford held in jail until trial to protect potential witnesses and because of his physical and mental problems.