Arsonist released back into the community

(May 2, 2007) An arsonist charged with setting a house on fire in the City of Ypsilanti has been released back into the community on a personal recognizance bond. Chris Kearns was charged with setting a house on fire on Ballard as well as setting fire to several trash cans in Ypsilanti.

Kearns was arraigned on April 30th in District Court 14A-2 and was released with little more than a promise to appear for a pretrial hearing on Tuesday May 8th. Magistrate Thomas Truesdell set the bond. Many in the community wonder how a potential serial arsonist could be released back into the community on his own recognizance, especially given that he was charged with setting a house on fire.