(Brookville-AP) -- The former president of the Brookville Volunteer Fire Department has been convicted of arson and other charges stemming from a string of fires.
A Jefferson County jury deliberated for nearly seven hours yesterday before finding 25-year-old Ryan Rishell guilty of eleven of 27 charges.
Prosecutors say Rishell set fires at abandoned or vacant buildings near the small borough in 2002 and 2003.
Rishell's attorney attempted to deflect the blame on four other firefighters charged in the arsons, three of whom testified against Rishell.
The defense attorney says Rishell had never been in trouble with law, but might have been thrust into the role of president of the Brookville Volunteer Fire Department before he was ready.
Jefferson County's president judge raised Rishell's bail to 250-thousand dollars.
Rishell could not post bail and was sent to the county jail until he can post it or until his June 16th sentencing date.
