The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Torrington suspect in firebombings has cases sent to New Haven court
MERIDEN — An EMT accused of setting off Molotov cocktails at several emergency services facilities this year had charges in two towns transferred Tuesday to state Superior Court in New Haven. It was not immediately clear what prompted the transfer of the state’s cases against Richard White from Meriden and Litchfield superior courts.
The Torrington resident made an appearance via video conference in Meriden. Sitting in a detention center dressed in tan prison uniform and a dark face mask, White remained silent during the brief appearance on Tuesday.
White, 37, is due to appear in New Haven Court on Aug. 27.
He faces charges in Meriden of attempt to commit first-degree arson, illegal bomb manufacturing, thirddegree arson and thirddegree burglary.
Court records show White previously pleaded not guilty to attempt to commit first-degree arson and illegal bomb manufacturing.
He appeared in court in Litchfield last week after being charged with two counts of third-degree arson, illegal bomb manufacturing, third-degree criminal mischief and first-degree burglary on July 1 by Connecticut State Police Troop A in Southbury, according to court records. He’s expected to enter a plea for those charges on Aug. 27.
The charges stem from fires set at emergency facilities in Meriden, Old Saybrook and Roxbury, as well as a nearby home in Roxbury, on Feb. 27, authorities said earlier this year. The Roxbury fire marshal said White used to live at the house where one of the fires was set.
Police said the morning the fires were set White got into an altercation with another EMT at Hunter’s Ambulance headquarters in Meriden where he attended a disciplinary hearing and was suspended.
After allegedly setting the fires, White fled to Pennsylvania, but was taken into custody the same night, authorities said.