James Hibbard (Reporter)

Exclusive interview with the preserve's arsonist.

Exclusive interview with the preserve's arsonist.

I think there was just a bit of a sense around the newsroom that we had landed a big one. We had caught the big fish, and now people were coming for us.

I think there was just a bit of a sense around the newsroom that we had landed a big one. We had caught the big fish, and now people were coming for us.

So we couldn't be accused of holding anything back. There'd be nothing for cops to come after us for, or so I naively thought at the time.

So we couldn't be accused of holding anything back. There'd be nothing for cops to come after us for, or so I naively thought at the time.

What happened next was the cops wanted me to come in for a chat. It wasn't like good cop, bad cop. It was like bad cop, worse cop, even worse cop.

What happened next was the cops wanted me to come in for a chat. It wasn't like good cop, bad cop. It was like bad cop, worse cop, even worse cop.

Not how James remembers it. Three hard-boiled Phoenix PD detectives just staring at you. I got the vibe that they all thought I was a piece of shit.

Not how James remembers it. Three hard-boiled Phoenix PD detectives just staring at you. I got the vibe that they all thought I was a piece of shit.

I confirmed, yes, this was true. Yes, that was true. He answers all of our questions. Then they started edging into details that I hadn't thought about, and I started to get hesitant. I'm definitely feeling the pressure of the situation.

I confirmed, yes, this was true. Yes, that was true. He answers all of our questions. Then they started edging into details that I hadn't thought about, and I started to get hesitant. I'm definitely feeling the pressure of the situation.

Just trying to figure out in real time what questions they're asking are ones that I want to answer versus where do I say, no, I'm not helping you anymore.

Just trying to figure out in real time what questions they're asking are ones that I want to answer versus where do I say, no, I'm not helping you anymore.

They really wanted me to set up another interview, or at least have another conversation with him on the phone, this time being on tape, to help them catch him.

They really wanted me to set up another interview, or at least have another conversation with him on the phone, this time being on tape, to help them catch him.

If a journalist sells out a source and it gets out that they did that, then it would damage media operations everywhere by making it harder for reporters to get people to trust them.

If a journalist sells out a source and it gets out that they did that, then it would damage media operations everywhere by making it harder for reporters to get people to trust them.

What if he burns down another house and this time somebody gets hurt or killed? What if, like, an undercover cop sees him in the act and he shoots him to get away?

What if he burns down another house and this time somebody gets hurt or killed? What if, like, an undercover cop sees him in the act and he shoots him to get away?