CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of arson and reckless endangerment waived his right toa preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Jerry Wayne Miller, 27, is charged with four counts of arson, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief and related charges.
According to court documents Lawrence Township Police were dispatched for a structure fire on March 18 at the Voyager Motel. Clearfield County Control indicated that there may have been entrapment at the scene, as caller said that Miller was making threats to harm himself.
When officers arrived they learned that the fire was contained and that there was no entrapment. Officers were met by Miller’s mother who stated to police that Miller was at her home. Officers checked on Miller and reported that he had scratches and abrasions and that he was very red, possibly from a flash burn.
When police interviewed Miller’s mother, she said that Miller wanted a gun so he could shoot himself. When he was refused it was reported that he tried to light his hair on fire. Police stated that they believed he may have been successful due to burn marks on his coat.
Miller told police that his intentions were to set himself on fire. He later told a medical examiner that he lit himself and the curtains in the room on fire. When he heard his mother calling for him and trying to break his door down, he jumped out the back window of the room he was in. He also informed police that he was the manager at the motel. In the affidavit of probable cause he said he knew what he did was wrong.
Miller is in Clearfield County Jail on $50,000 straight bail.