HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A 37-year-old man arrested back in April for a series of arson fires was in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing and was bound over for trial on nine counts of arson.
James Farra was charged with ten counts, but Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell noticed in the complaint that he had charged one count twice.
The defense wanted the case dropped because of alleged problems with the charges and the affidavits in the case, saying the property owners were never contacted by law enforcement
The fires are alleged to have occurred on two different dates on April 7 and April 23. Deputy Andrew Soule testified that he was sent to the fires on April 23, and that he noticed shoe prints at two locations he believed matched each other. When they made contact with Farra, they asked to see his shoes. The defendant provided a pair of work boots and a pair of tennis shoes. The work boots according to the deputy matched what he saw at two locations where fires were set. Farra was arrested and later interviewed by Sheriff Detective Richard Jennings. During that interview, Farra allegedly admitted setting as many as six of the fires.
Maxwell also noted that someone saw Farra setting some of the fires and said that he gave a false name.
The fires were all in pastures in the county at least nine different locations in the county.
With him being bound over for trial, the case will now move to arraignment on July 6, in front Judge Trish Rose.