DELAYED - NICHOLS - NYS - 9 Nov - SUSPECT ARRESTED IN SUSPICIOUS FIRE THAT KILLED OVER TWO DOZEN HORSES

[Atlas]

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN SUSPICIOUS FIRE THAT KILLED OVER TWO DOZEN HORSES

A 32-year-old man is facing several felonies charged in New York State after a suspicious multiple alarm fire claimed the lives of over two dozen horses during the early hours Thursday, 9 Nov 2023.

The incident was reported at 6:34 a.m. on Thursday. First responders answered a call for a reported structure fire at the Tioga Downs Casino complex located in Nichols, NY. Arriving fire companies reported a barn to be fully engulfed at the casino. Additional help was quickly requested by the Nichols Fire officials The barn was situated between other barns causing them to become a serious exposure problem for the fire fighters.

A news crew reporter at the scene could see the structure was still burning around 8 a.m. with numerous fire departments working to contain the fiery blaze.

Answering the mutual aid request were multiple including: Tioga Center Fire Dept, Waverly-Barton Fire Dept, Pennsylvania Fire Departments including Wyndham Township, Athens Fire and Athens Borough Fire, Greater Valley EMS, Bradford County Rehab trailer. Other responding and assisting agencies include Tioga County Emergency Services, Tioga County Fire Investigation, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and New York State Police.

According to the New York State Police, on November 9, 2023, members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Boyd H. Fenton, age 32 of Athens, P.A. after a fire in a barn at the Tioga Downs Casino complex took the lives of over two-dozen racehorses.

Fenton has been charged with:

• Arson in the third degree, class “C” felony
• Burglary in the third degree, class “D” felony
• Criminal Mischief in the second, class “D” felony
• Assault in the second degree, class “D” felony

According to NYSP, the on-going inquiry revealed that Fenton entered the barn and intentionally set a fire, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage the barn fire was set as an act of arson. This fire resulted in the death of numerous racehorses.

Fenton was arraigned before a judge Thursday afternoon and remanded to the Tioga County, NY, Correctional Facility.

One person who entered the burning barn in an attempt to save horses suffered second degree burns and was transported to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA, for treatment.

The New York State Police would like to offer condolences to affected individuals and families that lost their beloved animals during this tragic

 

[mikeindabronx]

https://nypost.com/2023/11/11/news/new-york-race-track-fire-kills-24-horses-leaves-one-injured/

 

[Atlas]

Man facing 105-count indictment over Tioga Downs racetrack arson​

NICHOLS, NY (WBNG) -- The Tioga County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday, 09 Dec 2023, that Boyd H. Fenton of Athens, Pa. was arraigned on a 105-count indictment.

Fenton was arrested and charged in connection to a fire at the Tioga Downs racetrack on Nov. 9. On that day, 30 horses were killed in the blaze. He was 32-years-old when the crime was committed.
The indictment alleges that he unlawfully entered the barn at the racetrack and set the fire, destroying the barn, injuring a trainer and killing the horses as well as one cat.

He is facing charges of:
one count of arson in the third degree; a class C felony,
one count of assault in the second degree; a class C felony,
one count of burglary in the third degree; a class D felony,
38 counts of criminal mischief in the second degree, a class D felony,
30 counts of interference with or injury to certain domestic animals; a class E felony,
31 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; an unclassified misdemeanor,
one count of aggravated cruelty to animals; a class E felony
two counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor.

The district attorney’s office noted that bail for Fenton has been set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 property and $250,000 10% secured bond.
Defense motions in the case are due on Jan. 22, 2024.