Two teen Mowbray Mountain volunteer firefighters appeared in court this morning to answer to charges that they conspired to set a vacant house on fire, then waited for a call from the fire department.
Mowbray Fire Chief Joe Marland said at the time William Harris, 18, and George Lewis, 19, were indicted in late October that the men must have been “bored.”
“We’re still very disappointed,” Mr. Marland said this morning by phone after Mr. Harris and Mr. Lewis entered no pleas during their arraignment in Hamilton County Criminal Court. “In the 30 years we’ve been here, no one has ever been accused of arson.”
Mr. Harris and Mr. Lewis each are charged with one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to commit arson. They are out of jail on $5,000 bonds. Mr. Harris has an attorney, but Mr. Lewis, who appeared with his parents, petitioned the court for a public defender because they said they couldn’t afford to hire private counsel.
The men are scheduled to return to court in January.
The charges are in connection with an Aug. 17 fire at 1601 Poe Road, a vacant residence near Mr. Harris’ home, according to the indictment. Authorities said the fire likely started with the help of an accelerant.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.
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