May 22--A suspended Shickshinny volunteer firefighter accused of arson was granted unsecured bail Wednesday.
Corey Michael Davis, 20, had been jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility since his arrest on March 25, charged with six counts of arson, including two counts each of recklessly endangering an inhabited building and causing danger of death or bodily injury.
According to state police, Davis intentionally set two separate fires at 28 Italy St. in Mocanaqua, the vacant half of a duplex belonging to Frank Betshline of Stillwater, on Jan. 31. Davis resided with his family in the other half of the duplex.
Magisterial District Judge Donald Whittaker initially set Davis' bail at 10 percent of $50,000. After Davis waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday, Magisterial District Judge John Hasay was reluctant to grant Davis $50,000 unsecured bail, telling him, "I'm taking a chance on you."
The judge didn't grant the bail without conditions. He grilled Davis on everything from his education and employment history to his criminal record.
He told Davis he was "giving him a break" because Davis doesn't have an extensive criminal past -- he was convicted on a single count of theft for stealing an ATV in 2011. Davis violated his probation for the theft charge when he was arrested on arson charges and will be under court supervision after he gets out of jail.
As part of the bail condition, Hasay said Davis has to be "gainfully employed." Davis told Hasay he held a couple jobs after he graduated high school, but was fired from his last one.
"You could be a habitual criminal or learn from your mistake and move forward," Hasay told Davis.
Also factoring into the judge's decision was the program Davis' attorney, Mark Bufalino, said Davis will be going into when he is released from jail. Davis is entering a mental health court treatment program that will evaluate Davis' condition and focus on any mental health needs. Hasay said if Davis does not complete the program, he will be penalized.
Before the judge decided to grant unsecured bail, Bufalino struck a plea agreement with Assistant District Attorney Stephen Lentz, who agreed to drop all but two counts of arson. Davis said he will enter guilty pleas for the counts of arson related to causing danger of death or bodily injury. Those were bound over to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday.
Lentz also agreed to reduce the charges from first degree felonies to a second and a third degree felony.
Davis' formal arraignment is scheduled for 2 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Luzerne County Courthouse.
Davis was one of the Shickshinny Fire Department's 15 active members for about a year. A meeting was held the day Davis was arrested during which fire company members unanimously voted to suspend Davis pending the outcome of his hearing.
"Right now he's still suspended and he will continue to be suspended indefinitely," Shickshinny Fire Chief Kevin Morris said after Davis' hearing.
Asked whether the fire department would ever reconsidering Davis, he said, "He will not be a member of this fire department."
570-821-2110, @cvseibel
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