ALFRED — A Biddeford man made his initial appearance Friday at York County Superior Court. He is charged with arson at a Biddeford apartment building that claimed the lives of two men.
Justice Carl Bradford ordered Dylan Lee Collins, 18, of Center Street in Biddeford, to be held in jail pending a bail hearing.
Collins, who was handcuffed and dressed in a white, short-sleeve shirt, stood silently.
Collins is charged with two counts of murder, and one count arson for a fire that occurred at a multi-family, three-story building at 35 Main St., in the early morning hours of Sept. 18.
He is charged with starting the fire that led to the deaths of James Ford, 21, and Michael Moore, 23.
If convicted, Collins faces up to life in prison for each murder charge.
The two roommates died as a result of smoke inhalation, according to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. They were found sleeping in their third-floor unit. There was no fire escape leading from that level.
Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office say the fire was started in the rear stairwell of the building.
Ford’s sister, Justine DiPietro, spoke to reporters after the court proceeding.
She said neither she nor her brother knew Collins.
“I’m disappointed that an 18-year-old would become an arsonist,” DiPietro said. “I’m very upset that he would endanger people, including children, and he killed my brother and his best friend. My life will never be the same.”
Later that day, she posted on Facebook, “I saw him, Dylan, standing there. Dylan looked right at me and stared. My heart was racing and thoughts were running threw my head. Does Dylan want to run away and get out of this terrible tragedy he started? Well James Ford and Michael wanted to run out of there home that was set on fire and They never got to escape.”
Collins was taken into custody by Maine State Police on Wednesday while he was working at the Saco amusement center Monkey Trunks. He was then taken to Southern Maine Health Center for observation.
Collins was at the hospital until Friday morning when he was arrested and brought to York County Jail in Alfred, where he is currently being held.
Assistant Maine Attorney General John Alsop said he will be requesting a Harnish hearing soon to keep Collins in jail without bail until his case goes to court.
Alsop requested a forensic evaluation of Collins, which will evaluate his competency, abnormal condition of mind and other mental conditions, he said.
Collin’s attorney, William Ashe, with Fairfield & Associates in Portland, said he may request a competency hearing, and plans to decide this issue by Monday.
Alsop said after the court proceeding that he didn’t think competency was an issue.
Justice Bradford said if the York County grand jury brings an indictment against Collins in December, an arraignment will be scheduled.
A status conference has been scheduled for Feb. 13.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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