John, a speculator with borrowed money, faces bankruptcy when the market crashes. Under pressure from creditors, John creates a plan to pay them. He decides to set fire to his house and pay off his creditors from the insurance. To evade suspicion, he hires an accomplice to do the job and stays in the house himself when it is set on fire, managing to escape with minor injuries. Compare the nature and severity of John’s crime with that of his accomplice. Should they be charged with the same degree of arson? Provide rationale for your answer.
