New York Man Arraigned Over Fatal 2013 Arson Involving Romantic Rival

Edward Leon, a 53-year-old man from Fultonville, Upstate New York, was arraigned on Tuesday over allegations of his involvement in a fatal arson that occurred back in 2013 in Schenectady. The tragic fire claimed the lives of a father and his three young offspring, while seriously injuring a fourth kid. It has been revealed that Leon had personal ties to the father; he was romantically involved with the father’s girlfriend for a period of four years.

Federal prosecutors allege that Leon was responsible for a fire incident that happened on May 2, 2013, at a rental house located at 438 Hulett St., in Schenectady. This incident had fatal consequences, with the father, David Terry, his children Michael Terry, two, Layah Terry, three, and Donovan Duell, less than a year, killed in the blaze. An additional child was severely wounded during the inferno but survived the unfortunate ordeal.

Prosecutors detailed that days before the fatal incident, Leon had dispatched ominous messages directed at Terry. The source of the dispute was a romantic triangle; Leon was deeply agitated that his girlfriend had intentions of marrying Terry. On the day of the horrendous fire, it was reported that Leon had visited the father’s home, aiming to confront him in person.

Several years later, in 2016, Leon was found guilty of perjury related to the lethal 2013 arson. Specifically, his misdemeanor involved the fabrication of facts regarding his location during the timeline of the fire event. He had falsely testified in front of a federal grand jury that he had not been in Schenectady at that time.

In addition to the misleading testimony regarding his whereabouts, Leon also denied ever sending the threatening messages that were pointed to Terry. Evidence surfaced during his perjury trial that Leon had indeed dispatched menacing messages to Terry anonymously. Some of these messages included ominous warnings such as ‘you’re not going to make it to your wedding day,’ and ‘die, Dave, die’.

According to prosecutors, following the failure of his messages to influence or halt the romantic lead-up to the marriage between Terry and Leon’s ex-girlfriend, Leon took the step to personally confront Terry on that ill-fated day, May 2, 2013. However, when Leon’s lies were eventually exposed, he claimed that in his confrontation with Terry, he spotted small flames on the home’s porch. He then left the scene without raising an alarm to avoid suspicions.

Additionally, it was noted during his conviction in 2016 that there was ‘significant evidence’ tying Leon to another instance of arson. This incident reportedly took place a couple of months before the fatal Schenectady fire, on March 17, 2013, leading to the destruction of the apartment Leon had lived with his girlfriend and her children in St. Johnsville.

Initially, this St. Johnsville apartment fire was deemed an accident, but subsequent investigations led to suspicions about its origins. Leon had reportedly been overheard making threats to torch the apartment with the occupants inside if his girlfriend decided to leave him. On the day of this fire incident, Leon assisted his girlfriend and her kids in escaping the burning apartment.

Moreover, federal prosecutors asserted that significant evidence linked Leon to the deadly Schenectady fire. This evidence included the sent threatening messages and his plan to confront Terry. Consequently, Leon was handed a 10-year prison sentence due to his perjury conviction.

Court records indicate that Leon was released in 2022, a timeframe that saw federal investigators confirming the persistence of the ongoing investigation into the homicide. Despite the initial 10-year prison sentence for perjury, more trouble loomed for Leon as he was indicted again this week, accused of causing the deadly 2013 blaze.

The allegations laid against Leon now include the malicious utilization of fire resulting in property destruction and consequently death. Considering the serious nature of these charges, if he is convicted, Leon could potentially spend his lifetime behind bars or even face the death penalty.

Leon’s defense attorney, Kevin Luibrand, has so far remained unavailable for comment regarding Leon’s case. The charge against Leon has ignited public interest due to its longstanding nature and the severity of the alleged crimes.

Presently, all eyes are on this case as it goes through the stages of the judicial process. The justice for the loss of a father and his three young children back in 2013 largely depends on the outcomes of this case. Additionally, significant implications are expected about Leon’s future depending on whether he is absolved or found guilty of these weighty charges.