The Newport Daily Express

Man Held on Arson Charges Following Barton Fire

By CHRISTOPHER ROY Staff Writer By ED BARBER Staff Writer

NEWPORT CITY – Conrad Labor, 41, of Barton pled not guilty to first degree arson, and to nine misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment on Tuesday. He was held without bail, pending a weight evidence hearing. Judge Thomas Devine ordered that Labor undergo a competency evaluation. Labor appeared in Orleans County Criminal Court virtually from the Northern State Correctional Facility. Charges were filed after Labor allegedly started a fire at a Barton home.

The Orleans County Deputy State's Attorney's office requested that Labor be held without bail. State's Attorney Farzana Leyva explained that Labor already has two violations of court-ordered conditions convictions and two felony convictions. She explained that while on conditions of release, Labor was charged with breaking into Carl's Equipment Dealership in Barton, where he stole a Cadillac Escalade. This was one of a number of violations of conditions that Labor has been charged with. According to Leyva, Labor has shown he cannot abide by conditions of release.

According to court records, on June 30, the Orleans Fire Department responded to 33 Vigario Lane in Barton, where they extinguished a fire that was confined to an attached two car garage. The occupants of the house were home at the time, and suggested that Labor may have started the fire. After questioning Labor, officers placed him under arrest for suspicion of arson.

Leyva stated in Tuesday's hearing that she was concerned that Labor went to “light up” a house that had eight young children inside.

"This could have turned out to be a very, very serious case," Leyva declared. "This defendant is certainly a public safety concern. His history here shows that he has a criminogenic need to offend again."

Leyva said Labor knows the victims and dated one of their family members. She called Labor a "danger to this community." Leyva asked the court for extensive bail if it decided not to hold Labor. In response, defense attorney Trudy Miller asked to have Labor undergo a competency evaluation. However, Leyva said that earlier this year, Labor had undergone such a hearing and was found to be competent, and that she had no position on another hearing being held. Miller also said she believed that Labor was out on furlough for other charges, but that the furlough could have been revoked by the Department of Corrections (DOC). If it was revoked, she said she didn't know how relevant it would be to make a bail argument. Miller also said that Labor doesn't agree he should be held without bail.

After hearing the statements, Devine said the court would not rule out the potential hold without bail simply because there could be a furlough revocation coming. He also ordered that Labor undergo a competency evaluation.

Detective Sgt. Christopher Blais stated in his affidavit that on June 30, the Orleans Fire Department responded to 33 Vigario Lane in Barton, where they extinguished a fire that was confined to an attached two garage. Blais and Investigator Christopher Boyd with the Vermont Division of Fire Safety determined the origin of the fire was against the foundation on the exterior of the garage. Police said that soil and debris collected at the scene had an odor similar to gasoline base.

BARTON - The decision came late, but an Independence Day parade was hosted in the Village of Barton on July 4th. The parade didn't last long considering the short notice. Nonetheless the streets were lined with appreciative spectators weary of the last two years of pandemic restrictions, masking, and social distancing. Now, with the regulations lifted, people feel free to co-mingle.

This year was mask free and spectators stood together in groups or lined their chairs shoulder to shoulder along the sidewalk.

Early arrivals picked choice seating areas in the shade with a clear view of the parade.

It was ladies first on Saturday as the American Legion Auxiliary Post #76 led the parade. The Auxiliary is a separate entity from the American Legion that shares similar values. The Auxiliary was founded in 1919, dedicated to serving veterans and their families.

For decades the Bread and Puppet Theater in Glover has participated in the parade. This year was no different as a large contingent of Bread and Puppet volunteers brought a band, stilt walkers, and a political message to share.

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2022-07-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

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