Whitefish man sentenced for arson

A former baseball coach and city of Whitefish employee has been sentenced for arson.

James Wallace Langley, 35, was sentenced to five years with the Department of Corrections for setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s house in 2013.

Judge Robert B. Allison handed down the ruling Thursday in Flathead County District Court.

Langley previously tried to have his no-contest plea thrown out, claiming that Allison had an unfair bias against suspected arsonists. Allison had indicated that he wouldn’t follow the sentencing recommendation of a six-year deferred commitment.

Prosecutor Alison Howard argued that Langley was informed that the judge isn’t bound by the recommendation.

According to court documents, Whitefish resident Randy Watkins awoke at 3 a.m. one night to find flames outside the window. Smoke was coming through the light fixtures.

Langley reportedly had dated Watkins’ daughter.

Outside, Watkins found a trail of flames that led from a gas can in the yard to the siding on his house. The gas can belonged to him.

Investigators took a DNA sample from the gas can. The DNA matched Langley.

Langley’s full sentence is 10 years with five suspended.

Langley is a former coach for the Glacier Twins baseball team and was a recreation manager for the city of Whitefish.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.