NJFFSA16
12-29-2004, 05:59 AM
FEASTERVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A man who was angry that he got no
presents for Christmas burned down his parent's house early the
next morning, police said.
Steven Murray, 21, was charged with arson and risking a
catastrophe in the blaze that destroyed his family's home, Lower
Southampton police officer Peter Liese said.
"He was irritated that his family gave him no presents for
Christmas," Liese said.
No one was injured in the fire, which started at 2:25 a.m.
Sunday.
Police said Murray told a friend that he was angry on Christmas
Day when he didn't get any presents. He voluntarily checked into
Warminster General Hospital on Saturday under the state's voluntary
commitment law, but later signed himself out and walked eight miles
home, police said.
He told police he saw the flames in the distance, but officers
said his jacket smelled of smoke and they found a lighter in his
pocket and a gas can under trash bags and bins about 10 feet from
the front door.
Police said Murray admitted his involvement to officers and
threatened and spat at them while in custody and also spat at
Bristol District Justice Frank Peranteau during his arraignment
Sunday evening.
"So what if I burned my house down?" Murray asked during the
proceedings. "It's my house."
Peranteau set bail at $1 million and had Murray transferred to
the Bucks County prison in Doylestown. It could not immediately be
determined whether he had an attorney.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
presents for Christmas burned down his parent's house early the
next morning, police said.
Steven Murray, 21, was charged with arson and risking a
catastrophe in the blaze that destroyed his family's home, Lower
Southampton police officer Peter Liese said.
"He was irritated that his family gave him no presents for
Christmas," Liese said.
No one was injured in the fire, which started at 2:25 a.m.
Sunday.
Police said Murray told a friend that he was angry on Christmas
Day when he didn't get any presents. He voluntarily checked into
Warminster General Hospital on Saturday under the state's voluntary
commitment law, but later signed himself out and walked eight miles
home, police said.
He told police he saw the flames in the distance, but officers
said his jacket smelled of smoke and they found a lighter in his
pocket and a gas can under trash bags and bins about 10 feet from
the front door.
Police said Murray admitted his involvement to officers and
threatened and spat at them while in custody and also spat at
Bristol District Justice Frank Peranteau during his arraignment
Sunday evening.
"So what if I burned my house down?" Murray asked during the
proceedings. "It's my house."
Peranteau set bail at $1 million and had Murray transferred to
the Bucks County prison in Doylestown. It could not immediately be
determined whether he had an attorney.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)