PARIS — A judge set bail at $500 cash Tuesday for a Buckfield man charged with setting fire to his home Sunday.
Clay Jacobs Oxford County Jail photo
South Paris District Court Judge Philip Mohlar also approved a court-appointed attorney for Clay R. Jacobs, 46, who appeared in court by videoconference from Oxford County Jail.
Mohlar said the court was still seeking to locate an attorney who was eligible and available to take Jacobs’ case.
Jacobs was charged with arson, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
He didn’t enter a plea to the charge Tuesday.
In order for a felony charge to proceed to trial, it must be presented to a grand jury, who must hand up an indictment, unless the defendant were to waive his right to that process.
Prosecutors and a lawyer representing Jacobs for the day agreed on a recommendation to lower his initial cash bail from $50,000 to $500.
Jacobs was arrested shortly before midnight Sunday at his home at 69 Depot St. by Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.
A fire, which was reported Sunday afternoon, destroyed Jacobs’ mobile home. Chief Nick Merry of Turner Fire & Rescue said one occupant was home when the fire began and escaped without injury.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal determined the fire was intentionally set, according to a statement from Shannon Moss, spokesperson for Maine Department of Public Safety.
Buckfield Fire and Rescue Department responded to the fire call at 2:44 p.m. Sunday and was assisted by others from Turner, Hebron, Paris and Sumner.
Jacobs’ next scheduled court date is May 24.
Copy the Story LinkComments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
