2 days ago
Lehighton man pleads guilty in Brook Street arson
SCRANTON — A Lehighton man pleaded guilty to setting fire to the Brook Street home of a man arrested for running over and killing his employer in Schuylkill County in 2023.
Barton James MacConnell, 39, 1536 Long Run Road, pleaded guilty last week to one felony count of criminal mischief on Aug. 14.
On Aug. 2, 2023, Michael Albert struck Mark T. Boyle with a dump truck in the driveway of Boyle's welding and industrial sanding business in West Penn Township in Schuylkill County.
Early the next day, on Aug. 3, Scranton firefighters responded to 436 Brook St., Scranton, Albert's unoccupied home.
MacDonnell was subsequently charged with arson.
MacConnell's charging documents noted an angry crowd gathered around the police vehicle holding Albert shortly after Boyle was struck, with members of the group banging on the windows.
After police removed Albert from the scene, an employee of Boyle's known as 'Bart' pointed to Albert's truck and said he would burn it down if it was not removed, too.
A dog trained to investigate arson detected accelerants at the burned Brook Street home.
In June, Albert pleaded guilty in Schuylkill County Court to misdemeanor charges of involuntary manslaughter and theft of services. He was sentenced him to 11½ to 23 months in Schuylkill County Prison.
MacConnell awaits sentencing in the arson.
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