WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Gassert Sentenced for Springfield Arson
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White River Junction, Vermont - February 23, 2009
Former Ellis Block resident Jon Gassert pleaded no contest Monday to two charges; first-degree arson and reckless endangerment.
According to police, Gassert set a bathroom on fire at his downtown Springfield apartment building after he found out he was being evicted. No one was injured in the fire, but 40 people were displaced and the building suffered extensive damage. That includes the town's historic movie theatre.
Gassert originally pleaded not guilty to the charges, but after changing his plea Monday, he was sentenced to serve 2 to 10 years. Prosecutors say that many factors played a part in determining the sentence.
"I don't want to get into what all those factors are but I will say that the sentence that Mr. Gassert received today is comparable with similar cases," said Heidi Woessner, an Assistant State's Attorney.
Gassert offered no apology. He has been in jail since the July incident and will get credit for time already served. That means he will be eligible for parole sometime next year.
"There is no guarantee that Mr. Gassert will be released at his minimum. That will be determined by the Department of Corrections," Woessner said. "He will be under supervision of one sort or another, 10 years which, from the state's perspective is a very significant penalty."
The charges in this case were never amended. It's not known what prompted Gassert to change his plea. His lawyer declined comment after the hearing was over.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
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