California Manor arson suspect to stand trial on charges
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A man accused of setting fire to his apartment at California Manor last month will see his case go to trial.
Christopher Demetrious Grasty, 38, of California, appeared before District Judge Joshua Kanalis Thursday afternoon for a scheduled preliminary hearing. According to online court records, Kanalis held all charges for court.
Court documents state that on March 1 Grasty set fire to his fourth-floor apartment and then leapt out the window. California Manor is owned by the Washington County Housing Authority and contains 30 units. The fire resulted in 29 residents being displaced, though most have been able to return home, and caused $750,000 in damage.
Grasty was treated at UPMC McKeesport Hospital with multiple injuries after jumping from the fourth story, and was arrested upon his release on March 26.
According to the criminal complaint, Grasty confessed to setting the fire in an interview with police.
Grasty’s case will now move to the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, where he will stand trial on 26 felony arson charges and just as many misdemeanors of recklessly endangering another person.
He is incarcerated in the Washington County jail on $800,000 bond. Formal arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 23.