NORWICH – On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, the grand jury met and the District Attorney presented evidence against a number of individuals accused of felony offenses.

During an indictment proceeding, witnesses give testimony to the jury, and the District Attorney offers statements and reasons as to why he believes there is sufficient evidence to indict.

The defendant and defense counsel are not present during a grand jury proceeding; but if indicted, the defense is provided with a transcript of the proceedings. This is often why prosecutors do not provide all the evidence they have at a grand jury proceeding.

Once the District Attorney and witnesses have finished, the grand jury convenes to decide if there is enough evidence to indict. On Wednesday, the grand jury indicted 11 individuals.

• Michael J. Golotty, 25, Elmira, was indicted on the charges of arson in the third degree, a class C felony; burglary in the third degree, a class D felony; and criminal mischief in the second degree, a class D felony.

It is alleged that on or about Nov. 29, 2013 in the early morning hours, Golotty did intentionally start a fire inside a storage unit at The Storage Center, LLC in the Town of Norwich. The total amount of damage was said to be approximately $229,106.