RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) – James Palluto Jr. wanted to prove he would always carry a torch for his one true love, police say, adding that he tried to do so by setting the porches of his ex-flames on fire.

Palluto, 19, has been sent for a psychiatric evaluation at the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury after pleading innocent to two arson charges.

Palluto’s girlfriend at the time he allegedly started the fires, Ashley Piniella, 16, told investigators that Pallutto had set several porches on fire in the city.

Piniella said Palluto lighted the porch on fire at 33 Meadow St. on May 10 because her sister was staying there, according to the affidavit filed at Vermont District Court for Rutland County.

Piniella said Pallutto lighted the porch stairs of an apartment on fire at 48 Killington Ave. on May 18 because his ex-girlfriend lived there, Detective Curtis Moore wrote in the affidavit.

“Piniella stated that Palluto was trying to prove to her that he was now only faithful to her,” the affidavit said.

Piniella has recently obtained a restraining order against Pallutto.

Piniella also told police that Pallutto had set fire to other porches, including twice at the home of one her friends and once at her mother’s home, Moore wrote.

The fires caused minor damage to the porches.

Public defender Lorin Duckman asked for the evaluation at the state hospital for his client.

“Right now what I think we have is someone who is a danger to himself and a danger to society,” Duckman told Judge Nancy Corsones.

“I think what we’re going to do is take this one step at a time.”

Rutland State’s Attorney James Mongeon said he did not object to the request.

Corsones set bail at $75,000, but agreed to suspend it so Pallutto could go to the state hospital for a competency evaluation.

Pallutto was arrested Thursday morning at his home on Crescent Street.

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