Fultonville Resident Faces Federal Indictment Over 2013 Arson Case
A resident of Fultonville was accused on Tuesday of instigating an arson attack in 2013, which resulted in the tragic death of a father and three minors, as well as noteworthy injury to a fourth child. The father was romantically involved with the girlfriend of the individual now accused of causing his demise, according to federal prosecutors. Edward Leon, aged 53, faces federal court indictment for allegedly starting a blaze at a rented property on Hulett Street in Schenectady, leading to quadruple fatalities on May 2nd, 2013.
The devastating fire claimed the lives of David Terry along with three of his young offspring – two-year-old Michael Terry, three-year-old Layah Terry, and Donovan Duell who was merely 11 months old. A fifth child managed to survive, however, did suffer significant injuries due to the blaze. The prosecutors claim that in the days leading up to the fatal fire, Leon had sent a series of intimidating messages to Terry.
Leon was reportedly distressed about his girlfriend’s intention to wed Terry after a relationship of four years. On the day of the blaze, Leon sought out to confront Terry at his residence. In a turn of events in 2016, Leon was found guilty of furnishing false statements to a federal grand jury in relation to the 2013 arson incident.
Leon had provided a false alibi regarding his location during the time of the fire, falsely informing the grand jury that he hadn’t been in Schenectady. Further, he also denied accusations about sending threatening messages to Terry between the 25th and 29th of April, 2013, as stated by federal prosecutors.
The evidence presented during his perjury trial demonstrated that he had sent anonymous threats to Terry such as ‘you’re not going to make it to your wedding day’ and ‘die, Dave, die’. When his fabrications were discovered, Leon admitted to witnessing a small fire on the porch of Terry’s home when he arrived to confront Terry, according to the federal prosecutors.
Leon claimed that upon noticing the small fire, he chose to leave without raising the alarm out of fear of being implicated in causing the fire. The prosecution has suggested that there exists ‘significant evidence’ indicating Leon’s association with another separate arson case.
The residence Leon formerly shared with his girlfriend and her children in St. Johnsville was consumed by fire on the 17th of March 2013, according to the memorandum. Initial investigation ruled the fire as an accident, however, it was later tagged as suspicious. Leon had allegedly threatened previously to set the apartment on fire with his girlfriend and her children inside if she ever chose to abandon him.
On the day of the fire, it is reported that Leon assisted the woman and her children in escaping the burning building. The jury noted ‘considerable evidence’ pointing towards Leon’s likely involvement in the fatal fire in Schenectady, including the threatening messages he was alleged to have sent and his reported plan to confront Terry.
For his perjury conviction, Leon received a sentence of ten years’ imprisonment. He tasted freedom again upon his release in 2022. Federal investigators confirmed that despite the sentencing, the homicide case was left open and still under close investigation.
After more than a decade has passed, Leon is now facing fresh charges related to the instigation of the fatal fire. He was taken into custody and his arraignment took place on Thursday. The charges brought against him include the malicious utilization of fire leading to the destruction of property and resulting in human death.
According to the statement from federal prosecutors, if Leon is found guilty of these charges, the plea may see him sentenced to life-long incarceration or he may have to face the sternest of all punishments, the death penalty. Kevin Luibrand, the attorney representing Leon, was unfortunately not available for offering any immediate comments on the case.