All PoconosB2B, News, Classified and all about life in Poconos
  

Read News

Pocono News Section

Testimony Begins in Susquehanna County Arson Trial

Testimony Begins in Susquehanna County Arson Trial - Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 3:12PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 @ 04:12pm EST
MONTROSE, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY - A Susquehanna County pizza shop owner is now on trial. He's accused of setting fire to his own business.

Testimony began Thursday morning in the trial of Valerio Amato in Montrose. Prosecutors say Amato torched his Lanesboro pizza shop in 2008 by piling up items near a pizza oven and then leaving the oven on.

That is something employees who testified Thursday say Amato never did.

Another witness, Robert Mireider, says the 32-year-old was the only one at the restaurant near the time the blaze began.

When asked if he saw Amato at the scene, Mireider told Eyewitness News, "absolutely. For a half hour. He left and 20 minutes after he left, the place is burning."

Former employee Christine Canines bolstered the prosecution's case saying the business was hurting right before the blaze. Financial gain may have been one of Amato's motives.

"Personally, I think he was in a desperate situation," Canines said. "Business was going downhill."

As he left court Thursday, Amato didn't comment on the trial. He would only say, "I think it's going pretty good. That's all I can say right now."

Amato and his attorney say the prosecution has the case all wrong. Attorney Paul Ackourey called the investigation imcomplete.

He admitted Amato was at the restaurant but left to take his wife to the doctor. He also points out that no one saw Amato set the blaze.

"The shop was closed but he was doing prep-work for the following day. There's no question he was there but it was his shop. He was doing work," Ackourey said.

The trial is expected to last through at least Friday afternoon. Amato is expected to take the stand on Friday.
 


Discuss this news

Your Name (nickname):
Your Email: (will remain private)
Your Comments:
  


Home | News | Businesses | PA places | Classified | Cars for Sale | Account | Products | Home Recipes | Manuals | Stock Images | Earn Commissions | Advertise | Contact Us | Search
Raw Hack

© 2024 AllPoconos.Com All rights reserved.