43
2 charged in arson are brothers of man held in fire that killed 6
- Story - Love has poured from this tragedy, Rev. Simon said
- Story - Innocent pleas in fire deaths
- Story - Hundreds pay respects to family killed in fire
- Story - Arson case brings IQ concerns
- Story - Prosecutor says he’ll seek death penalty in arson case
- VIDEO - Michael Davis' Mother Speaks
- Story - Judge denies bail for suspect in city’s worst mass murder
- Story - Man accused in fatal arson held without bond
The house police say they torched is near the house where six died.
YOUNGSTOWN — The two younger brothers of a man accused of starting a fire that killed six people are themselves now charged with aggravated arson.
Scott Davis, 17, and James Davis, 16, were arrested at their home at 817 Bennington Ave. around 11 a.m. Friday by members of the FBI/Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force gang unit. The boys were taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center.
Capt. Alvin Ware, head of the arson bureau, said the boys are charged with setting fire to 1650 Stewart Ave. around 4 a.m. Jan. 1. The fire at the vacant house was confined to the first floor and front porch area, reports show.
The house is across the street from where two women and four children died in an arson fire last month.
The boys’ elder brother, Michael A. Davis, 18, remains in protective custody at the jail without bond pending his trial on aggravated murder and aggravated arson charges in that blaze. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
He is accused of igniting an accelerant on the porch at 1645 Stewart Ave. sometime after 5 a.m. Jan. 23. Carol Crawford, 46; her daughter Jennifer R. Crawford, 23; and Jennifer’s four children, Ranaisha, 8, Jeannine, 5, Aleisha, 3, and Brandon, 2, all perished in the fire in upstairs bedrooms.
Retia Crawford, 19, and her brother, Julius Crawford, 17, escaped the fire as did three others who were staying overnight at the house.