NORWICH – The Chenango County grand jury met last week and indicted 14 people with felony charges.
At the proceedings, the District Attorney’s Office presents evidence against those they wish to prosecute as a felon and the jury decides if there is enough reasonable cause to charge a person.
• Three co-defendants were each indicted for third degree arson, a class C felony and fourth degree conspiracy, a misdemeanor, after they allegedly collaborated in burning down their own home.
The indictment accuses 36-year-old homeowner Kimberly Koster, her 17-year-old daughter Chelsie M. Koster and her 70-year-old father, Joseph S. Dietzman, of setting their Coventry home ablaze Aug. 13.
“The defendant did intentionally damage her dwelling by pouring gasoline inside her residence which was later set on fire by a co-defendant, causing complete loss of the residence,” stated Kimberly Koster’s indictment.
It also claimed her daughter participated in the incident “by starting a fire when she intentionally lit a match and placed it on a pile of clothes inside the residence.”
The indictment did not elaborate on Dietzman’s alleged participation in the incident. He was arrested after the Kosters were initially charged with the crime.
A number of area fire departments responded to the 10:20 p.m., Aug. 13 fire at 1636 State Highway 235 after a neighbor called 911.
Firemen found the unoccupied home engulfed in flames when they arrived. Within a few hours, fire investigators inspecting the building’s debris found evidence of foul play and contacted the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office.
• Robert V. Shenise Jr., 25, Norwich, was indicted on two counts of fourth degree grand larceny, E class felonies, fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth degree criminal mischief, aggravated driving while intoxicated and driving while intoxicated, misdemeanors.
New York State Police arrested Shenise at 3:38 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Town of Norwich after a resident complained that a pick-up truck was intentionally destroying his lawn by spinning its tires and performing other erratic maneuvers.
The indictment claimed Shenise caused more than $3,000 in damages to the yard. Shortly thereafter, Shenise was involved in a roll-over accident with the truck. He was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief and driving while intoxicated. According to the indictment, Shenise’s blood-alcohol content was more than triple the legal .08 percent limit.
The indictment also said the pick-up truck was reported stolen and that Shenise was armed with a stolen .45 caliber handgun.
• Shawna L. Franklin was indicted for third degree grand larceny, a class D felony, first and second degree falsifying business records, an E class felony and misdemeanor.
Franklin was a store manager at the Quickway in the Village of Oxford and allegedly stole $22,734 from her employer between Aug. 5 and Aug. 23.
The indictment claims she made “numerous false entries in various business documents,” in an effort to conceal her alleged crimes.
