Man gets probation in burglary, arson of Palm Springs restaurant

By Aldin Brown – City News Service

A former Palm Springs restaurant worker who stole $2,000 before setting fire to the eatery while about 100 customers were inside was sentenced Monday to probation and ordered to enroll in a mental health program, despite the objections of his ex-employer and a prosecutor.

Upon his release from county jail on June 23, Ripp Trammell Goforth, 53, must enroll in a year-long county mental health probation program commonly known as “mental health court” and will be on probation for five years.

The plea deal also requires the defendant to pay $14,000 in restitution, and carries a 12-year suspended prison sentence, which Goforth could be required to serve if he commits additional crimes.

The plea deal was opposed by Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Tucker, who told Superior Court Judge James S. Hawkins that the prosecution wanted a prison sentence, and was also opposed by the defendant’s former employer.

Twin Palms Bistro & Lounge owner Pat Daltroff told the judge he fears Goforth is a danger to the community.

“I’m blown away by what’s going on right now,” Daltroff told the judge, adding: “He (Goforth) actually tried to kill me that night, and he’s going to walk away scot-free.”

The Cathedral City man pleaded guilty to one count each of burglary and arson of an inhibited structure and admitted a sentence-enhancement for using an accelerant — gasoline — to start the fire on Feb. 25.

He also pleaded guilty to an unrelated drunken driving charge, and was given credit for time served.

Daltroff said he was standing in a puddle of gasoline as Goforth started the fire, and thought the defendant should have been charged with attempted murder.

“I can’t even explain to you why I didn’t burn up,” Daltroff said. “If he can do this to me, there’s no telling what else he’s capable of.”

The business owner described Goforth as a once-trusted employee and friend, whom he assigned to fill whatever role the restaurant needed at a given time. He said he was at a loss to explain Goforth’s motives and suggested he receive mental health treatment before being set free, not afterward.

Defense attorney Anthony Valente said after the hearing that Goforth had no prior criminal history and that the probation was recommended by a team of mental health experts who thoroughly investigated the case and interviewed numerous fellow employees and relatives.

“He’s going to be receiving the treatment that even the victim stated he needs,” his lawyer said. “The outcome here is going to benefit the public tremendously. We have employees who supported him and corroborated that he needs help.”

Most terms and conditions of Goforth’s mental health probation are confidential, and it was unclear whether the program is inpatient or outpatient. His attorney said he was unable to disclose details except to say that Goforth is “going to be highly supervised in that program so he does not reoffend.”

Goforth is due back in court Sept. 14, when representatives of the program will update the court on his progress.

Goforth has remained in county jail since his arrest, roughly two hours after the blaze was reported at the restaurant at 1201 E. Palm Canyon Drive.

No one was hurt in the fire, which forced the evacuation of customers and 28 employees. The owner had largely doused the flames by the time firefighters arrived, and the restaurant reopened two days later.