WPBFD History

The arsonist returned to the Hutson house less than three months later on February 17, 1992, when another fire bomb crashed through a bedroom window. Only mi- nor damage resulted before the fire was quelled. The at- tacks were believed to have been aimed at the occupants of the house in retaliation for reporting drug activity in the neighborhood. "It's better to keep your mouth shut around here," said a neighbor to a Palm Beach Post re- porter. The police and fire department canvassed the area in a search of the arsonist. One witness was found who had seen three juveniles throw the fire bombs, but the wit- ness refused to testify fearing retaliation. After posting a reward for the arrest of the individuals responsible, a con- fidential informant came forward to identify the three youths. With the physical evidence and witness statement in hand, arrest warrants were issued by the State Attor- ney's Office. Two of the alleged arsonists were apprehended on February 20 and February 21, 1992. During questioning Darryl Anthony Lewis and Anthony Leroy Mickens both admitted to the fire bombing. They said the reason for their attack was that the occupant of the house had inter- fered with drug activity in the neighborhood. They also implicated a third man who had not been caught. The two arsonists were first taken to the Juvenile Detention Center but were later moved to the Palm Beach County Jail, when the State Attorney's Office approved a request to try them as adults. The charges included first degree arson, arson resulting in injury to another, posses- sion of a fire bomb, and assault on a person 65 or older. They were sentenced on May 15 to five years in prison and ordered to pay $77,893 to State Farm Insurance for damage to the Hutson home. The third suspect, Lewis Franklin, was apprehended on June 5, 1992. Fire broke out in an apartment building at 320- 20th Street at about 11:30 a.m. on December 11, 1991. One of the occupants, Joe Cathey, braved suffocating smoke to alert other occupants who then managed to es- cape. Minutes later firefighters arrived and doused the flames in the two-story structure. Twenty-four people were left homeless in the fire that was later ruled arson. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at Good Samaritan Medical Center.

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