Feb. 25--JEFFERSON -- A convicted felon will spend the next decade in prison for his part in the December 2012 methamphetamine lab fire at Bonniewood Estates.
A jury has found Tyler S. Payne, 25, of Ashtabula, guilty of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, a second-degree felony; illegal manufacture of drugs, a first-degree felony, and aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, according to Ashtabula County Common Pleas Court records.
Judge Gary Yost sentenced Payne to 10 years in prison, with 140 days jail credit, and five years of post-release control, records show.
Assistant Prosecutor Susan Thomas represented the state, and Payne was represented by attorney Jason Fairchild, except for one afternoon when he chose to represent himself.
Payne fired him one day of the trial, but when he seemed to have a difficult time asking witnesses questions, he rehired Fairchild.
The fire was contained to one apartment in Bonniewood, but it sent smoke high into the air and took two fire departments to extinguish it.
Ashtabula firefighters battled the blaze from inside, outside and on the roof of the apartment building, assisted by Ashtabula Township firefighters, according to reports.
No one was injured in the fire.
Thomas said she was pleased with the jury's decision.
Copyright 2014 - Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio
