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Alleged Arsonist Waives Preliminary Hearing

Alleged Arsonist Waives Preliminary Hearing - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 7:00PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 07:00pm EST

DANVILLE, MONTOUR COUNTY- He volunteered to fight fires but police say Chester Cyphers of Danville started dozens of them.

Cyphers waived his preliminary hearing in Danville Tuesday afternoon. He’s facing a slew of arson charges, and aggravated assault charges.

As Cyphers walked into his preliminary hearing in Danville, Warrior Run fire fighters were watching. Warrior Run Fire Chief Mark Burrows says, "I think it's just a sign of unity to what happened. I mean these guys are affected by it just as well as everybody else."

Police say Cyphers admitted to setting this Montour County barn fire in November. The barn collapsed on Warrior Run firefighter Wayne Hawley.

It left him partially paralyzed. Hawley's family wasn't there as Cyhpers waived his preliminary hearing.

Burrows says he talked with the family this week. "I would say they're a little worked up about what this whole legal process is going to bring and what the final outcome will be at that time. I feel they're very relieved an arrest was made," he said.

This fire wasn't the only fire police say Cyphers admitted to setting. Police papers show he admitted to starting up to 25 in Montour, Columbia, and Lycoming counties.

He allegedly used a lighter to set them. He's officially charged with starting nine fires. Cyphers didn't talk to us, but his lawyer did. Cyphers defense attorney George Lepley says, "Obviously he's under a tremendous amount of emotional duress. He was near tears several times. It would be really inappropriate for me to say what he may or may not have said about the case."

Montour County District Attorney Robert Buehner says his office and state police are looking into suspicious fires dating back several years. They say the investigation into Cyphers is far from over.

Next up for Cyphers is his formal arraignment in Montour County court. That's scheduled for June 9th.
 


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