German man set nearly 50 fires in California arson spree and threatened to 'roast America' in retaliation for mother's deportation: prosecutor

A German man set nearly 50 fires in a California arson spree and threatened to "roast America" because he wanted revenge for his mother's deportation, a prosecutor told jurors.

Harry Burkhart, 29, inflicted "unspeakable devastation and terror," Los Angeles County prosecutor Sean Carney told jurors Monday in his opening statement, according to City News Service.

Burkhart placed incendiary devices under cars in Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley and West Hollywood on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, 2011, and on Jan. 2 during the following year. The sheer number of fires "brought the fire department in this city to its knees," Carney said.

Harry Burkhart, accused of multiple counts of arson, in court.

(CBS)

The Chechnya native could face 80 years in state prison if convicted. He pleaded not guilty, and not guilty by reason of insanity.

There were no deaths or serious injuries as a result of the fires, but damages were estimated to be $3 million.

His mother Dorothee, who was born in Russia, was extradited to Germany to face criminal charges, according to CBS in Los Angeles. Her son became agitated during her hearing.

Dorothee Burkhart appears in federal court in 2012.

(Bill Robles/AP)

"He announced to everyone there, '(expletive) America,'" Carney said, according to CBS.

Deputy Public Defender Steve Schoenfield said prosecutors can tie the suspect to only six or seven fires and said a sanity phase is almost a certainty.

While he was awaiting trial, Burkhart was diagnosed with skin cancer and and was close to death, according to CBS. He is in remission, but uses a wheelchair, the station reported.

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