Arson charge against Cal U. student withdrawn
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Charges of arson, causing or risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct filed against a 19-year-old Pittsburgh man accused of setting fire to a poster in an elevator in a dormitory at California University of Pennsylvania last month were withdrawn Wednesday,
Branden Washington waived a charge of institutional vandalism during a hearing in Central Court before District Judge Larry Hopkins. He was arrested by university police after the Oct. 24 incident at Johnson Hall. He allegedly used a lighter to set a poster on fire. The elevator wall was damaged.
Johnson was enrolled as a student at the time of his arrest, although his current status at the school was not available Wednesday. University spokeswoman Christine Kindl said Johnson is going through the disciplinary process at the school.
Washington remains free on $25,000 bond.