Nov. 05--DOVER -- The trial for a Middleton man accused of setting his family's Fox Road home on fire in January 2012 will begin today. Attorneys for the case went through jury selection on Monday. The trial is expected to last four days in Superior Court.
Joshua Sargent, 49, formerly of 35 Fox Road in Middleton, was indicted on the charge of arson in May of 2012 for allegedly "knowingly starting a fire which unlawfully damaged the property of 35 Fox Road, an occupied structure," according to the indictment. It also alleges that Sargent knew the structure was occupied.
According to court documents, "sometime around the year 2000, Joshua Sargent told (the victim) of a conversation he had with someone about using a wood stove as an excuse for a fire."
Local police were at the scene of the fire last week, but were mum on why they had returned to the property on Fox Road.
"At this point in time we are preparing for trial and it would be inappropriate to comment on the evidence," said Sgt. Tim Brown.
The state has a list of 16 potential witnesses which includes Brown, Sgt. Jason Lamontagne of Middleton, Fire Chief Richard Fowler of Farmington, and Alyssa Sargent, the victim, among others.
The defense witness list includes Michael DiMascio, a Professional Engineer for Arup in Cambridge, Mass.
Arson is a Class A felony which could result in 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison and up to $4,000 in fines.
Sargent's trial begins today at 10 a.m. in Strafford County Superior Court.
Copyright 2013 - Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.
