Video: 'Street of Dreams' fires coincide with UW ecoterror trial

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TACOMA, Wash. - The "Street of Dreams" arsons near Woodinville coincide with the trial of one alleged Earth Liberation Front (ELF) member at the federal courthouse in Tacoma.

Jurors began deliberations in the case against Briana Waters, 32, on Friday.  Prosecutors say she was the lookout in 2001 when the Earth Liberation Front set fire to the Center for Urban Horticulture on the campus in Seattle.

The arson cost the university $7 million to replace the building. The ELF claimed responsibility for the fire because it believed, mistakenly, the center was genetically modifying trees..

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Federal prosecutors say Briana Waters, seen here at a previous hearing, was a member of the Earth Liberation Front back in May of 2001.

Monday morning's fire caused a flurry of activity inside the courtroom.  Waters' lawyers say Monday morning's apparent arson in Woodinville - and the note attributing it to ELF - could be, in their words, disastrous to Waters.  Waters testified she had nothing to do with the arson.  She faces 35 years in prison if convicted.

Waters arrived at the federal courthouse after Waters' attorneys requested an audience before the judge.  They had hoped to individually question jurors about what they may have heard on the news early Monday. 

However; the judge sided with the prosecution's suggestion to simply ask all the jurors at once if they heard anything that would influence their ability consider only the evidence they've heard in court.  When none of the jurors raised their hand, the judge sent them to resume deliberations. 

Waters has left the courthouse, but is instructed to stay within 15 minutes of the building should the jury make a decision. 

Prosecution also told the judge Monday that the fre is not a total surprise to them.  They say the ELF started a fire during a different arson trial of one of their alleged members back in 2001.