The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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June 9, 2009

Teen faces probation in arson case

By Jeff Lehr

jlehr@joplinglobe.com

A 19-year-old man was assessed a suspended sentence Tuesday for an arson conviction in Jasper County.

Circuit Judge David Mouton sentenced Brandon J. Book, of rural Carthage, to seven years in prison for a second-degree arson conviction, but suspended execution of the sentence and placed the defendant on probation for five years.

Book was one of three teenagers accused of setting two fires July 29, 2007, in the Carthage area. His co-defendants, Thomas A. Crippen, 19, and Danny W. Byasse, 19, also were assessed suspended prison sentences and probation after reaching plea agreements with the Jasper County prosecutor’s office.

All three were charged with first-degree arson for alleged use of an accelerant to start a fire on the porch and sidewalk of a home at 1233 Clinton St. in Carthage. Two adults and a child were in the home at the time, but no one was injured.

They also were accused of starting a fire at 9673 Harmony Road and were charged with second-degree arson in that case. A probable-cause affidavit states that Book poured an accelerant inside the home, while Byasse constructed a Molotov cocktail, lighted it and threw it against the house.

The defendants all pleaded guilty to second-degree arson in exchange for the dismissal of the other count.

In each case, sentencing-assessment reports recommended probation for the defendants. Crippen’s probation was revoked in November of last year, and he served 120 days of “shock” incarceration before being placed back on probation.

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