Pocono News Section

Jury to Get Susquehanna Co. Arson Case Tuesday

Jury to Get Susquehanna Co. Arson Case Tuesday - Monday, March 15, 2010 at 04:10AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday March 15 2010
MONTROSE, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY -- The trial of a Susquehanna man accused of burning down his business is wrapping up.

Closing arguments were given in the case of Valerio Amato Monday afternoon. He's charged with setting his pizza shop in Lanesboro on fire in 2008.

Amato remained very cool and calm while he testified Monday morning. In closing, his attorney said Amato would have to be the dumbest arsonist on the face of the earth because of the number of people who saw him at his shop the day of the fire.

But prosecutors argue he's the only one who would gain financially and there was overwhelming evidence the business was struggling.

The case will go to the jury Tuesday morning.