Man convicted of arson that shut Portsmouth library

Posted to: Crime News Portsmouth
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By Janie Bryant
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 10, 2011

PORTSMOUTH

A judge Tuesday found Tyrone Donte Taylor, 35, guilty of the Christmas Day arson that shut down the Portsmouth Public Library's main branch.

The downtown library has been closed for cleanup and repair since the fire.

Taylor, who was homeless, first denied that he set the fire, but later confessed, a police officer testified.

Mary Harris, the prosecutor, asked the officer to play portions of a recording of the police interview.

On the tape, Taylor said that he was angry that he had been kicked out of the library and that he snapped that morning.

Officer W.J. Baker said Taylor told him he put a cigarette in a piece of paper and placed it in the book drop slot.

Kurt A. Gilchrist, Taylor's lawyer, argued that his client's answers were unclear on the tape and that the fire marshal could not say with certainty how the fire was started.

Taylor faces up to 10 years when he is sentenced Nov. 1.

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It's a shame...

Submitted by elsie-eye on Sat, 08/20/2011 at 11:35 am.

...that the punishment we mete out doesn't fit the crime. This guy should have had to do some scrubbing and cleaning as a part of his sentence. Maybe being around some books would do him some good.

Well, justice was served...

Submitted by PTOWNGUY on Wed, 08/17/2011 at 6:00 am.

So, the man did not have to clean any book, pay for any damages, cost the tax payers money, have the library unavailable to people who do pay taxes. At least now he will have a place to live and served food and a place to shower and watch tv. Justice has been served!!!!!!!!