Arson case not ready for hearing

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

District Court Judge Jolene Blair set Feb. 20 for a possible disposition hearing church arson suspect Austin Mayo, 19, of Livermore.

Mayo's attorney, Linda Miller, said she is waiting for more investigative reports, but the case is "getting near resolution."

On Jan. 6, Mayo waived his right to have a preliminary hearing on four charges filed against him in District Court. Another court date was set for Jan. 30; that also was postponed.

The former volunteer firefighter, who is accused of burning down the historic Virginia Dale Community Church on Nov. 16, continues to be held in the Larimer County Detention Center on $500,000 bond.

Miller said earlier that she will not ask for a reduction in bond. Mayo's family will be using its financial resources to prepare for the case instead, she said.

Mayo faces four arson charges - three felonies and one misdemeanor. In addition to the church fire, the felony charges accuse him of starting a Nov. 10 haystack fire at Rabbit Creek Ranch and a Nov. 18 fire at the Livermore Community Hall. The community hall fire caused little damage. The misdemeanor charge accuses Mayo of starting a grass fire on Nov. 11 near County Road 74E.

According to the affidavit for Mayo's arrest, he admitted to investigators that he started the four Livermore area fires.

During the six weeks following the church fire, members have received donations of more than $80,000 in cash, building materials and volunteer labor to rebuild the church located on U.S. Highway 287 about 30 miles north of Fort Collins. Construction work could be completed in February.