LEWISTON — Prosecutors say they will not appeal a judge’s order to dismiss as evidence the videotaped confession of a 13-year-old boy charged with setting an April fire in Lewiston that destroyed three apartment buildings and left 75 people homeless.

A judge ruled last month that the confession should be suppressed because the boy wasn’t read his rights until nearly two hours into the police interrogation.

Although Androscoggin County prosecutors urged the state attorney general to appeal the judge’s order to the state’s highest court, Attorney General Janet Mills declined.

Mills said justice will be best served by referring the boy to state child welfare authorities for appropriate services.

Defense lawyer Allan Lobozzo tells the Sun Journal the decision was a “great outcome.”

Prosecutors did not immediately decide how they will proceed.


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