Grand jury to hear apt. arson case

Published 9:59 am Thursday, February 2, 2017

The man charged with setting the apartment building where he lived on fire waived his case to the grand jury.

Frank Faulkner Rayburn, 55, of 41 Buckner St. Apt. 4, was arrested for first-degree arson and first-degree wanton endangerment hours after the Jan. 13 fire.

According to court documents, Rayburn told police officers on the scene that he set the fire because other residents were allegedly stealing his property. One resident told police that Rayburn said, “I’m burning them out. I’m tired of them robbing me.”

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Wednesday afternoon, Rayburn decided to send his case to the Clark County grand jury, rather than have a preliminary hearing in front of a judge. Rayburn remains in the Clark County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond, according to the jail website.

In the arrest citation, officers said Rayburn admitted to spreading paper throughout his apartment and setting it on fire.

No one was injured in the fire.

Firefighters were notified shortly after 2 a.m. Jan. 13. When they arrived, there was already extensive fire at the rear of the four-apartment building on both floors. Fire investigators said the building was probably a total loss.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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