Tehachapi News

Two Tehachapi men charged in depot fire case

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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, 32, 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.