Court proceedings have been postponed for four months in the case of an East Fork man who allegedly set his own home on fire earlier this month.
According to court records, 43-year-old Patrick S. Busby, who has been charged with first-degree arson, a felony, was granted a furlough on May 11, allowing his temporary release from the Blaine County jail while he undergoes alcohol recovery treatment in New Orleans. The furlough was granted following the filing of an agreement between defense attorney Keith Roark and the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
According to the stipulation, both parties requested that Blaine County Magistrate Court Judge R. Ted Israel allow Busby to undergo treatment for up to 120 days at St. Christopher's Addiction Wellness Treatment Center in New Orleans before further court proceedings are held.
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Busby made an initial court appearance before Israel on May 9 following his arrest on the morning of May 8. Israel then set bond at $100,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for May 18. That hearing has now been reset for Sept. 14.
Busby was charged with arson for allegedly using gasoline to intentionally set his home at 67 East Fork Road on fire on the evening of May 7. According to the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, the fire was set after Busby argued with his wife. Busby, the only person at the home when the fire started, escaped through a broken window and was treated for minor injuries at St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center, the sheriff's office reported.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
