D.A. assures Northampton residents arson case is "strong"

(WWLP) NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan talked to Ward 3 residents Tuesday night about the arsons that have  plagued their neighborhood for years, and the steps he's taking to make the city safer.

D.A. Sullivan told about 35 people at the Bridge Street Elementary School that after the state's highest court threw out accused arsonist Anthony Baye's confession, and he dropped the indictments against Baye this summer, he said his investigation went further into the past, and found more arson fires that his office attributes to Baye.

A grand Jury quickly returned  a new, 42-count  indictment against Baye, accusing him of arson and murder.

"The case that they brought against him now is stronger.  It actually includes more crimes.  So it might have backfired somewhat on the defense," said Ward 3 resident Gina-Kamas Choi.

Another ward 3 resident, Bob Reckman, told 22News, "It's democracy.  You gotta protect everybody's rights.  So Anthony Baye has rights too.  But I hope they get him this time."

D.A. Sullivan also updated the Ward 3 residents on his Community Prosecution program, linking prosecutors with neighborhoods.

He also took the wraps off his "NoFires" program, an education and safety partnership dedicated to reducing youth-set fires in the home, school and community.

Sullivan acknowledged that the biggest problem in schools is bullying, and that his office has established the "Safe Schools response Team" to ensure Northampton schools are healthy and safe.