Defense attorneys for James Young are asking a judge to dismiss murder and arson charges tied to a 1993 fire in Jeannette.
Young was convicted on those counts 30 years ago, accused of intentionally setting the blaze that killed his wife and two children, but that conviction was overturned last year. Young’s lawyers now argue that the methods used to determine the fire was arson are no longer accepted in fire investigations, leaving prosecutors without enough evidence to present the case to a new jury for a retrial. State attorneys argue there is still enough circumstantial evidence to prove Young started the fire.
Young remains in custody without out bond at this time. The judge overseeing the case says he will schedule a hearing for the dismissal motions filed by the defense later this year.
Comments