Accused arsonist enters not guilty plea
Standing before Judge Bob Balbick in handcuffs and leg chains, Andre L. Scott said he was not guilty of the charges of arson, attempted murder and burglary.
Scott, standing 6' 8" in his green state prison clothes, offered no other statement. He is accused of starting a fire Jan. 24 with the intention of killing at least one of the residents of the dwelling.
Bail in this case was set at $100,000, but he's already in state prison on a criminal weapon possession charge.
A felony hearing was set for Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. in City Court.
UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: Det. Chuck Dudek just sent out an updated press release with more details of the alleged crime.
Scott allegedly threatened the life of his recently ex-girlfriend's father prior to allegedly setting the fire. Scott allegedly started the fire by pouring gasoline on two flights of an interior stairwell and then igniting it. This stairwell is reportedly the only exit from the second- and third-floor apartments of the building. The first- and second-floor apartments were occupied at the time of the 10:20 p.m. fire. Occupants were able to escape the building through windows and were not injured. The father of Scott's ex-girlfriend lived on the second floor.
"A quick response by the City of Batavia Fire Department minimized damage and preserved evidence," Dudek wrote.
