Macedonia arson suspects to be released

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Three white men accused of burning down a predominantly black church in Springfield will spend the weekend in jail.

But on Friday a Federal Court judge agreed to release them on house arrest with ankle bracelets on Monday.

Most of the family and friends of Benjamin Haskell, Michael Jacques, and Thomas Gleason had no comment on their
way out of Federal Court, but one of the men's fathers did yell out that he was, "happy" his son would be coming home.

The judge released the men on 75,000 dollars bail with the added provision that there be no firearms, ammunition, or working computers in the home each is released to.

During the hour and a half long hearing, Asst. U.S. attorneys played video from the Macedonia Church of God in Christ Church the three men are accused of burning down the day after Barack Obama was elected President.

During the hearing some new details emerged about the suspects' past, including claims that Haskell and Jacques are responsible for other local arson fires in the area.

At the end of the bail proceedings, the judge reminded the three men that they would spent 10 years in prison if convicted, adding "If you did this, your shame should be bottomless," for having committed such a "dispicable" act, and hurting church and family members so badly.

No word yet as to when the three young friends will again appear in court.