Hearing delayed for suspect in arson at site of new apartments
A court hearing Wednesday for one of the three suspects charged in connection to the January arson fire at an under-construction apartment complex was postponed again. His attorney requested more time on a plea offer resolving the two cases against him.
Prosecutor Megen Gallagher, of the Yuma County Attorney’s Office, when asked to provide the court with an update on the status of the cases against 25-yearold James Mee explained that a proposed plea offer has been sent to the victims of the case for their review and that it would resolve both cases against him.
Attorney Joe Terrnaova, who represents Mee in the apartment arson case, in asking for a continuance, said his client is not willing to accept the plea agreement as it is being offered and asked for more time to continue working on the case.
Mee has been charged with 13 felony counts of arson of an occupied structure and 19 felony counts of arson of a structure and one count of conspiracy — arson of a structure. He has also been charged with intentionally organizing, managing and directing a gang, and one count of possession of a weapon by a prohibited possessor, all of which are felonies.
Other charges Mee faces in relation to the case include four misdemeanor counts of arson of a structure and a civil offense of aggravated criminal damage. He remains in custody on a $350,000 cash-only bond.
He is also being represented by attorney Richard Edgar on a second unrelated case. In that case Mee has been charged with felony counts of possession of a weapon by a prohibited possessor, possession of marijuana for sale, and possession of drug paraphernalia. For this case bail was set as a $5,000 cash-only bond.
During the hearing Mee also requested a change of attorney, saying that he and his attorney don’t get along and that he doesn’t believe Terranova is representing his best interest.
Judge Kinsey denied Mee’s request telling him that Terranova is an extremely competent attorney. After listening to both counsel, Judge Kinsey granted the defense’s request and rescheduled Mee’s next hearing for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 26.
Also charged in the case are Trayvon Johnson, 18, and Daniel Molina, 18. Two boys, ages 16 and 17, have also been arrested. Another suspect, 18-year-old Devon Munson has not yet been located, according to Yuma police.
According to Yuma police, the fire broke out just before 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 29 at the Mesa Heights apartment complex, which was at the time was under construction in the 2100 block of Arizona Avenue. Nearby residents were evacuated.
Over 20 properties were damaged and six buildings were totally destroyed, including an apartment building and five homes. Six other vehicles or structures sustained significant damage, and there were 15 other small yard and debris fires, one of which burned a carport screen.