SANFORD (AP) — Two of three boys charged with setting a fire that destroyed an abandoned mill in Maine have pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
The two pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor criminal mischief and were sentenced to a year of probation. The Journal Tribune reports if the boys stay out of trouble then a felony arson charge will be dismissed in the new year.
It took more than 100 firefighters from Maine and New Hampshire to contain the blaze at the 300,000-square-foot Stenton Trust Mill building in Sanford in June.
Defense lawyers say the boys are remorseful and never meant for a fire they started to get out of control and destroy the building. The third boy is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 26.
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