NORWICH – Charged with second degree arson, a class B felony, and third degree arson, a class C felony, Jeffery “Yogi” Maxson, 47, New Berlin, re-appeared in court last week with his attorney, Scott J. Clippinger. Originally charged following an investigation into a structure fire in August of 2010, Maxson pleaded guilty to both counts in 2011. But the conviction has since been overturned after it became clear that Maxson had made a plea without being adequately aware of a possible intoxication defense. Since then, Maxson has been released on bail after having served a number of years in state prison.

It is alleged that Maxson purposefully started a fire in August of 2010 which destroyed his mother’s home, where he had been residing at the time.

Last week’s court appearance was for the purpose of a Huntley Hearing – a pretrial hearing requested for the purpose of reviewing the manner in which the police obtained statements from the defendant. New York State Police Investigator Jason Besset, who took Maxson’s statement back in 2010 prior to arresting him, took the stand during last week’s proceeding.