Local News
MILFORD, PA - Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin announced that on May 12, 2008, Timothy Jason McMahon, 30, of Virginia was found guilty by a jury of the crimes of Arson, Terroristic Threats, and Criminal Mischief. The verdict came after a one day trial. The jury composed of seven women and five men deliberated for little over an hour before announcing their decision.
The incident leading to the conviction happened during the early morning hours of July 12, 2007. It was at that time that a carnival group was setting up for an upcoming carnival in a field adjacent to the Lackawaxen Fire Department. Michael Bedford, the victim, had parked a large wooden framed game, which was on a trailer, in the field in preparation for the carnival. Bedford was staying with his son and the Defendant in an R.V. that was parked in the same field. Bedford testified that he had met the Defendant in Virginia a few months prior and allowed him to live with him in his R.V. when the Defendant decided to go to work for the carnival.
Bedford testified that his son, who was seventeen at the time, became involved in an argument and fight with the Defendant in his R.V. The Defendant had been drinking heavily during the day and Bedford stated that he became belligerent as the night wore on. Bedford then recounted that he broke up the fight and kicked the Defendant out of his trailer by giving to him a bag containing his personal items. It was at the time that the Defendant threatened to kill Bedford and his son. The Defendant then threatened Bedford again by stating that he would burn down his R.V. while the Bedfords slept. In response, Michael Bedford then told the Defendant he was not going to sleep to which the Defendant replied that Bedford had other things he could burn. Bedford then watched as the Defendant walked over to his game trailer and then, a few moments later, saw flames break out on his trailer as the Defendant was walking away from it. Because of the late hour there was no one at the Fire Department and Bedford’s game was reduced to rubble. Bedford testified that he had built the game himself earlier in the year and relied on it for his income.
First Assistant District Attorney, who prosecuted the case, stated that Bedford’s testimony was critical to the case along with the results of the investigation performed by the Pennsylvania State Police. DeSarro stated that a Deputy Fire Marshall from the State Police testified during the trial that he determined the fire to be arson from his analysis of the debris left on the trailer. DeSarro also stated that the State Trooper, who first responded to the scene that night, found the Defendant passed out under a truck a short distance away from the fire scene. The Trooper stated that he actually had to bend down to his knees to see the Defendant who was positioned completely underneath the body of the truck. The Trooper also testified that a lighter was found on the Defendant that evening. DeSarro stated that Michael Bedford was able to identify the bag of the Defendant’s personal belongings in the fire debris.
After the verdict, the Defendant’s bail which was previously set at $100,000 was revoked by President Judge Joseph Kameen and the Defendant’s sentencing was set for July 31, 2008 at the Pike County Courthouse in Milford.
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