Man to stand trial for Hempfield arson that caused $1 million damage, killed 3 dogs

The day before a Hempfield family members departed for a Christmas getaway to the Caribbean, a Greensburg guy who did house chores for them confirmed up unexpectedly “with a plate of brownies” as a departing reward, in accordance to testimony at a preliminary listening to Friday.

Point out law enforcement allege 9 days immediately after the surprise Xmas Eve pay a visit to from Randy W. Bryner, the 58 yr aged returned Jan. 2 to steal silver cash and set fire to the house to include up the theft.

Primarily based on two hrs of testimony Senior District Decide Helen Kistler ruled there was ample proof for Bryner to stand trial on numerous counts of aggravated arson, arson, theft, felony trespass, cruelty to animals and reckless endangerment.

Two Southwest Greensburg firefighters were being wounded whilst battling the fire that brought on $1 million in problems to the 5,700-sq.-foot property and its contents. Three loved ones canine died.

Less than questioning by assistant District Lawyer Leo Ciaramitaro, house owner Maurice Auer reported he employed Bryner final summer to finish a handful of outdoor chores.

“He wasn’t allowed inside of our residence besides to go to the lavatory,” Auer testified. “He was not supplied authorization to go into our residence whilst we were absent.”

A relative who was accompanying the Auers on the journey had employed Bryner to feed and wander their dog at a vacant Jeannette residence right until both families returned Jan. 2, Auer said.

The households returned to Florida Jan. 1, but their return flights to Western Pennsylvania had been delayed, so they rented a car to travel household, Auer claimed.

In the course of the generate, Auer stated about 7 p.m. Jan. 2, a pet camera within the Farmington Spot residence was induced by the canines barking and alerted their cell telephones. A very little whilst later, Auer testified that the household could see by means of movie smoke filling the room and a different alarm contained on the product indicating “there was an unexpected emergency.”

The relatives identified as911. A dispatcher reported firefighters were being by now responding. They then called two family, including one particular who had been caring for the Auers’ pet dogs.

As the household continued to push, Auer claimed he busily downloaded the films taken by his pet camera but did not know whether or not they contained any details on how the fire started off until finally he watched them a “few times later on.”

“I recognized Randy’s voice ideal absent. I termed the troopers and turned about the tapes to them,” Auer said.

Firefighter William Wright testified he invested a night time in Excela Health Westmoreland healthcare facility in Greensburg right after struggling burns to his palms, arms, again and neck. Firefighter Seth Parsley was also dealt with and unveiled, authorities claimed.

Attorney Owen Seman pleaded not responsible on behalf of Bryner.

Seman also requested Auer whether or not the movie carried any genuine images of Bryner getting into the home.

“No. But you could hear the doorway opening,” Auer mentioned.

Court information submitted by troopers said Auer and his spouse, Maureen, regarded Bryner’s voice addressing the puppies following he entered the home.

Primarily based on the movies of how the fire promptly unfold, Trooper Chet Bell mentioned he thought the fire was deliberately established.

Trooper Seth Helman they searched for the silver coin selection but did not find it. The 180 to 200 cash were being valued at close to $7,000.

Bell extra that the accelerant made use of could not be decided, but he believes it was arson.

Seman requested Kistler to dismiss “all fees.”

“There’s no specific indicator on how the fireplace began. Everything we’ve listened to in this article right now is based mostly on assumptions … dependent on somebody’s voice recognition. … No one even observed my consumer enter the home,” Seman said.

Having said that, Ciaramitaro argued that there was adequate proof introduced versus Bryner for him to stand trial.

“There’s no better way to deal with up a criminal offense than to damage evidence of one’s crimes,” Ciaramitaro mentioned.

Bell mentioned police have not recovered the stolen silver cash. Anybody with information is asked to phone condition police at 724-832-3288.

Bryner previously was sentenced to 5 to 10 several years in a point out prison on burglary costs stemming from a 2013 incident in Northampton County, in accordance to point out records.

Kistler remanded Bryner to the county jail, the place he has been held on $200,000 bond since his Jan. 7 arrest.