Tehachapi News
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office has arraigned two Tehachapi men
Two Tehachapi men arraigned in Depot fire case, both plead not guilty
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Posted by editor Thu Jul 17, 2008 15:34:30 PDT
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Two Tehachapi men have been arraigned on felony and misdemeanor charges
arising from the June 13 fire that left the historic Tehachapi railroad
depot a smoking ruin.
Co-defendants Jason Watson, 31, and Brian O’Donnell, 36, appeared before
Judge John Oglesby at East Kern Superior Court in Mojave and both pleaded not guilty to one felony count of causing a structure fire and one misdemeanor count of using illegal fireworks.
They were taken in custody temporarily until they posted bail. O’Donnell’s
bail was set at $10,000. Watson’s bail was $20,500 for the fire-related
counts and $5,000 each for two unrelated probation matters, for a total of
$30,500.
They had not been in custody prior to the hearing.
“They surrendered to the court for arraignment,” said Deputy District
Attorney Ronald Taylor.
The maximum penalty for the felony count is three years in prison and six
months for the misdemeanor.
Watson and O’Donnell are represented by their own private attorneys, one
from Lancaster and the other from Los Angeles.
Taylor said the next court appearance for Watson and O’Donnell will be Aug.
20 for a pre- preliminary hearing, and two days later on Aug. 22 for the
preliminary hearing. At that time the judge will decide if the DA’s office
has enough evidence to hold the defendants for trial. A trial would proceed
within two months.
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