Lincoln County Asst. District Attorney Andrew Wright has said the state is not moving forward in arson charges against Colton Thayer, 20, of Wiscasset.
Thayer was arrested March 10 in connection with a 2008 fire involving a pickup belonging to now retired Wiscasset Officer Alfred “Willy” Simmons.
The June 20, 2008 blaze completely destroyed Simmons 1994 Toyota pickup and caused significant damage to a police cruiser, which was parked next to it. Simmons was on duty and inside the station at the time.
“After initial finding of probable cause, the state is not moving forward at this time,” said Wright on April 25.
Thayer was arrested without incident and booked at the Two Bridges Jail. He was later released on a $10,000 cash bond pending a later appearance in Wiscasset Superior Court.
Thayer’s attorney, Richard Elliott of Boothbay Harbor’s Elliot and Elliott law firm, said his client had maintained his innocence all along.
“Colton had volunteered to take a polygraph test at the Maine State Crime Lab,” said Elliott. “It would be their choice as to who conducted the test which shows the level in which we were willing to go.”
If convicted, Thayer would have faced up to 30 years in jail for the Class A crime.
“It’s a scary thing to be looking at that kind of time for a crime he didn’t commit,” said Elliott. “My estimation is that the case against Colton will not be reviewed further.’
Elliott said the charges were dismissed after the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and State Fire Marshal’s Office identified an alternative suspect after Thayer was charged in March.
LCSO Lt. Mike Murphy declined comment on Elliott’s claim citing the continuing investigation.
