Bail Possible for Three Held in Church Fires
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A federal magistrate in Birmingham indicated he might release on bail three college students accused in a series of church arsons, despite a prosecutor’s insistence the fires were no “juvenile prank.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert R. Armstrong Jr. ordered the three suspects to remain in jail pending his decision, which he said would be released today. He asked the suspects’ parents if they would serve as guardians if he released the three on $50,000 bond each; all the parents agreed.
Benjamin N. Moseley and Russell L. DeBusk Jr., both 19, and Matthew L. Cloyd, 20, were arrested last week on charges of conspiracy and setting fire to one of nine small Baptist churches in early February.
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