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Authorities seen eyeing fourth suspect in Springfield church fire

E-mail|Link|Comments () May 30, 2009 03:56 PM

By Benjamin Paulin, Globe Correspondent

Law enforcement authorities are investigating the possibility that a fourth suspect was involved in torching a mostly black church's new building in Springfield just a few hours after Barack Obama was elected president, according to a published report.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan had no comment on the new twist, reported by The Republican of Springfield, in the probe of the fire at the building owned by the Macedonia Church of God in Christ. "I just deal with fires," he said.

Acting US Attorney Michael K. Loucks would not confirm whether a fourth suspect was being eyed by authorities. But Assistant US Attorney Paul Smyth said, "It is possible that in the future there would be charges brought to a person who has not yet been charged. The investigation is ongoing.”

Three men, Benjamin Haskell, 22, Michael Jacques, 24, and Thomas Gleason, 21, all of Springfield, were indicted in January on charges that they allegedly conspired to interfere with the civil rights of the members of church. If convicted, the suspects face up to 10 years in prison.

The trio allegedly poured gasoline on the interior and exterior of the building before setting it ablaze in the early hours of Nov. 5, causing an estimated $2 million in damages. No one was hurt in the fire because the building was still under construction.