SMETHPORT – A Smethport man pleaded guilty to three counts of
arson Thursday in McKean County Court for a fire that displaced 11
people in Bradford in August 2006.

Terry Bornheimer, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of
arson/recklessly placing persons in danger, one count of
arson/intent to destroy an unoccupied building and one count of
assisting an act of arson as an accomplice.

Assistant District Attorney Raymond Learn said on Aug. 10, 2006,
Bornheimer intentionally set a fire at 170 Kennedy St., assisting
as an accomplice to his mother, Debra Miczo, 47, of Emporium.

Learn also said Bornheimer intentionally started a fire at 166
Kennedy St., damaging the house owned by Frank Harriger Jr. and
Cari Harriger, but Public Defender Ron Langella, Bornheimer’s
attorney, asked for an amendment to Learn’s statement.

Langella said Bornheimer along with his mother who owned the
property at 170 Kennedy St. intentionally set a fire at that
property, and the fire “regrettably” spread to other buildings,
including 166 Kennedy St.

The fire, which occurred more than a year ago, spread from 170
Kennedy St. to homes at 166, 174 and 176 Kennedy St., destroying
all the houses and leaving 11 people homeless.

Langella pointed out to McKean County Judge John Yoder that
Bornheimer’s guilty plea agreement had a few special terms or
conditions.

Yoder asked Langella to explain one of the conditions about
testifying truthfully and offering proof after the plea date.

Langella explained, having talked to District Attorney John
Pavlock, that Bornheimer had not stated or admitted anything in
writing as to these offenses before Thursday and subsequently would
offer a signed, written statement on the accuracy of information he
provided.

Yoder and Langella also stressed the seriousness of the charges
Bornheimer was facing. Yoder stressed that if Bornheimer went to
trial, the jury would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
Bornheimer put another person in danger and intended to cause
damage or destruction.

Langella explained that Bornheimer may face a sentence of
between 16 months to four years in jail. He said the jail time may
be a county or a state sentence. Langella said he met with
Bornheimer repeatedly prior to the plea, and Bornheimer wanted to
proceed with the plea agreement offered.

Bornheimer is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 11.