Northampton arson trial may be delayed

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) - A ruling by a judge on Massachusetts' highest court will likely delay a Northampton murder and arson trial until spring.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that Supreme Judicial Court Justice Ralph D. Gants ruled Friday that the justices should take up the question of whether Anthony Baye's confession to Northampton and state police on Jan. 4, 2010, should be allowed at trial.

Hampshire Superior Court Judge Constance Sweeney ruled last month that a jury should see Baye's videotaped confession. She said he made his confession voluntarily, though she said police interrogators used coercive techniques.

Baye's lawyers argued that his confession should be thrown out because police tricked him.

Baye faces two counts of murder and other charges for a series of fires he allegedly set on Dec. 27, 2009. He has pleaded not guilty.