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Two 15-year-old boys accused of setting fire to LaFayette’s water-sewage department building were bound over Thursday for trial in juvenile court. The trial was tentatively set for Jan. 14.

Meanwhile, Juvenile Court Judge Bryant Henry will decide whether the two defendants should be tried as adults in Walker County Superior Court.

District Attorney Herbert "Buzz" Franklin said that Thursday's court appearance was an arraignment.

The individuals heard the charges filed against them," Franklin said Friday. "We will probably file a motion today to have the trial moved to Superior Court."

The teens are charged with burglary, arson and criminal interference with government property.

Franklin's motion is based on the hopes of local authorities that the two teenagers can be charged as adults.

"The maximum time they will serve (if tried) as juveniles is 90 days of incarceration. The judge might add some time served in probation," said Tommy Freeman, LaFayette's director of public safety.

"We are simply hoping that the judge will take a look at the possibility of charging the two as adults. Right now it looks like that might be a possibility, but I never want to get ahead of a judge," Freeman said.

Franklin said that the judge is not limited by the trial date to reconsider them as being tried as adults in Superior Court once he receives the motion. "He can always reschedule that date," Franklin said.

Assistant District Attorney Margaret Loudet from Franklin's office is the prosecutor in the case.

Authorities say the two teenagers on New Year’s Day broke into a building housing the water-sewer department in LaFayette and set it on fire. The two-story building was a complete loss.

Jim Speir, head of the city's water and sewage department, said the damage included records such as work orders. However, he said water customer accounts are kept elsewhere and were not lost.

Freeman said the state's damage estimate of $500,000 was ``conservative'' and that the building, which once was used as an athletic field house behind the old high school, probably would have to be replaced.

Freeman also said the city recreation department stored equipment in the basement of the building and that too was lost.

RELATED ARTICLES

- LaFayette public safety director: Arson not tied to “Fight Club” (Published 1-3-08)

- Two teens charged in LaFayette water-sewage department arson (Published 1-2-08)

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