ROCKLAND, Maine — A District Court judge has approved the release of a man who was arrested after being caught with a Bic lighter while free on bail awaiting sentencing for setting his home on fire in 2008 to collect insurance.
Dana R. Benner, 51, of South Thomaston was stopped May 3 in Damariscotta when police noticed a headlight was out on the vehicle he was driving. His bail conditions do not allow him to possess any incendiary devices.
The district attorney’s office obtained an arrest warrant and Benner was taken into custody Friday. He was released after a hearing Monday in Rockland District Court.
Judge Ralph Tucker set bail at $5,000 unsecured during the hearing. Tucker reaffirmed, however, that Benner cannot be in possession of any incendiary devices, including lighters, and that he cannot be in possession of cigarettes.
The district attorney’s office asked the court last week to revoke Benner’s bail. A bail revocation hearing has been scheduled for August.
Benner’s attorney, Jonathan Handelman of Brunswick, has argued that the bail condition of prohibiting smoking be removed since Benner has tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking.
Benner pleaded guilty in December to one count of arson for a fire that damaged his home in September 2008 in South Thomaston. The agreement reached between the prosecution and defense was that he be sentenced to four years in jail with all but nine months suspended if he did not violate bail in the next 12 months. Sentencing was agreed to be held in December 2012.
I don’t think they allow smoking in jail, lock him up and help him with his inability to quit.
Correct!
Yes they should do that to all the druggies and alcoholics too. Instead of giving them rehab!
wow! think outside the “box” please for man-kind? ………….it’s a lighter????????????
2008???????????? lock him up for life??????? “common sense”
Attention: Be on the lookout for Dana Benner carrying two sticks. They could be used as an incendiary device if rubbed together.
How on Earth are they going to enforce something like this
MUST not be able to find any good news to put in the paper,Big deal if Dana got out,might say something about the charge, the Judge released him Monday!! Wish this paper could write good things that happen in Midcoast ,instead of senseless articles.I guess there are way too many perfect people in Maine to judge someone without knowing the whole story.
This man is one of the kindest, men I have ever known in my life! He would do anything for anybody! He is no danger! Why not throw the people who are a real danger to society in jail and leave good people alone!