BIDDEFORD — A Biddeford man charged with murder and arson is expected to live after an apparent attempt to hurt himself.

On Thursday at 9:49 a.m., 18-year-old Dylan Collins, who is charged with causing a fire at 35 Main St. on Sept. 18 that led to the death of two men, jumped off a second tier landing at the York County Jail in Alfred, according to Bill King, chief deputy with the York County Sheriff’s Office.

King described the incident as “an apparent self-harm attempt.”

Collins, who is charged with the deaths of James Ford, 21, and Michael Moore, 23, was being held without bail in a high security unit in the jail, said King. In that section, inmates can only leave their cells for 90 minutes each day.

“Collins was out of his cell in the dayroom when he ascended the 15 stairs to the second-floor level, climbed the railing and jumped off,” stated King. “It appears he landed on his knees first before striking his face on the floor.”

Two officers were in the unit when this took place.

Collins, who fell more than 10 feet, was able to sit up on his own soon after his jump, stated King. Alfred Fire and Rescue brought Collins to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

“His condition does not appear life-threatening,” King said Thursday.

At that time, Collins was in the hospital’s critical care unit and was under correctional supervision.

A spokesman from Maine Medical Center said Collins is in fair condition this morning.

Collins has a history of mental health problems.

Earlier this year, he was held at the mental health unit at Southern Maine Health Care after being picked up by Biddeford Police.

Police were contacted by Collins’ mother, Donna Pitcher, on July 27, who, according to Biddeford Police transcripts, said she found flammable objects and bomb-making materials all over her apartment and in her son’s room. She also found information on his computer about bomb-making and the Columbine High School massacre. She said she was afraid that he was “crazy.”

After this call and an investigation, police brought Collins to the crisis unit at Counseling Services, Inc. From there, he was taken to SMHC, where he remained for about a month, said Biddeford Police Chief Roger Beaupre.

Pitcher called Biddeford Dispatch again on Oct. 14 and Oct. 20 with concerns about her son.

Pitcher’s last call was on Nov. 5. That day, police took Collins into custody at his job at Monkey Trunks in Saco and brought him to SMHC for observation.

Beaupre said he believes his department averted a tragedy by picking up Collins when they did on Nov. 5. Because of the ongoing investigation, he declined to specify the nature of the tragedy to which he referred.

It was after being interviewed at the hospital that the charges were brought against Collins. He was arrested for the arson and murder charges on Nov. 7.

He has also been charged with possession of a concealed weapon, to which he pleaded not guilty in Biddeford District Court on Nov. 10.

When contacted by telephone on Thursday afternoon, Collin’s attorney William Ashe said he couldn’t comment on the incident at the jail, because he had not been informed of Collin’s actions. He did say he wasn’t sure that it was appropriate that the press was informed of the events because it could violate his client’s privacy.

Last week, Ashe said he wasn’t sure if he would ask for a competency hearing for Collins.

The prosecution did ask that Collins undergo a forensic evaluation; however, it is only seeking a determination of whether Collins has an abnormal mental condition, which would evaluate his state of mind at the time of the crimes with which he is charged.

It did not request a competency evaluation, which would evaluate whether Collins is able to assist his attorney in his defense.

After Collins’ initial appearance on Nov. 7 on the arson and murder charges in York County Superior Court in Alfred, Assistant Attorney General John Alsop said he didn’t believe competency would be an issue.

Collins’ next court appearance is scheduled for February at York County Superior Court in Alfred.

He could be called to court at an earlier date if a judge rules in favor of Alsop’s request for a Harnish, or bail, hearing. Ashe filed a motion opposing the hearing. A ruling on this issue hadn’t been made by Thursday.

An earlier court date may also be scheduled if the York County grand jury indicts Collins for the arson and murder charges before February. An indictment is not a finding of guilt, but a determination that enough evidence exists to commence prosecution.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].