DELHI _ The two men and one teenager charged with arson in a series of fires in Delaware County appeared in court for arraignment Monday.
Donald, J. Aitken, 22, of East Meredith and Cody D. Fancher, 17, of Stamford, were arrested Oct. 7 for their involvement in the fire that destroyed the Sidney Center United Methodist Church and other blazes that occurred from April to October, Delaware County District Attorney Richard Northrup said.
Aitken and Fancher both pleaded innocent to two indictments that included seven counts of third-degree arson; five counts of third-degree burglary; three counts of second-degree burglary; three counts of third-degree criminal mischief; and one count of second-degree arson, petit larceny, fifth-degree attempted arson and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Timothy L. Haner, 24, was charged with third-degree arson and third-degree burglary in connection with a fire at an unoccupied farmhouse in Hamden.
Aitken was being held in Delaware County jail on $20,000 cash bail, Fancher is free on $20,000 bail, and Haner is being held on $5,000 cash bail.
All three requested and were assigned attorneys. Their trials are all scheduled during the April 26 trial term.
In other court business:
ä Jesse Mohr, 25, of Andes, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in a plea agreement in which he will be sentenced to five years' probation and Delaware County drug court.
Mohr's charges stem from a Sept. 16 incident in Middletown where he admitted possessing heroin. He was released on his own recognizance to be sentenced on Jan. 19.
ä Stephen Schneider, 51, of Masonville, pleaded guilty to violating his probation and was sentenced to an inpatient-treatment facility followed by five years of probation with drug court.
Schneider was sentenced to five years' of probation on a DWI charge on April 1, 2007. He violated his probation by consuming alcohol and failing to attend alcohol self-help meetings.
ä Daniela N. Denny, 24, of Franklin, pleaded innocent to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance for allegedly selling heroin in Sidney on Sept. 19.
Denny is being held in jail on $2,500 cash bail. Her trial is scheduled during the April 26 term.
ä Shelton Jones, 29, no address available, pleaded innocent to two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance for allegedly selling cocaine in Sidney on Nov. 3.
Jones' bail status was not available. His trial is scheduled during the April 26 term.
ä Barbara Ackerly, 57, of Masonville, pleaded innocent to two counts of third-degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing in excess of $3,000 from two people during the period between 2006 and 2008.
Ackerly was released on her own recognizance to await trial during the April 26 term.
