SCHENECTADY, NY (WRGB) — Edward Leon, once dismissed as a suspect in the 2013 Schenectady fire that claimed the lives of David Terry and his three children, is now facing federal charges for allegedly setting the blaze. Sa’fyre Terry, who was 5 years old at the time, survived the fire, suffering burns on her body.
Leon was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned last Thursday. Previously, he was found guilty of lying to a federal grand jury about the events leading up to the fire on Hulett Street. He was sentenced to a 10-year prison sentence with three years of probation and was released in 2022.
Under the new charges, Leon is eligible for the death penalty. Donald Chesworth, an attorney, commented on the situation, saying, “If it’s a federal prosecution, yes, he is see. There are two separate systems.” He added, “I think it’s an interesting situation, but it does happen frequently that the district’s attorney and the U.S. attorney will have discussions about where they would best prosecute a case.”
Three other individuals, including Sa’fyre’s mother, were prosecuted for lying to a grand jury during the initial investigation. Leon is scheduled to appear in federal court today at 3:30 p.m.
