Vermont man gets new trial in fire deaths
10 a.m.
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The Associated Press - Published: September 10, 2009
BURLINGTON - A judge has granted a new trial for a man who once admitted setting a fire that killed three boys and their grandmother in a Vermont apartment.
Twenty-nine-year-old Eric Williams pleaded guilty to setting the fire to an apartment unit in Milton 10 years ago. He was sentenced to at least 40 years in prison, but later said he made a false confession and sued the state requesting that his conviction be thrown out.
A Chittenden County Superior Court judge granted his request Wednesday, setting the trial for next June.
Court papers had said Williams was upset about a break up with his girlfriend. Years ago, he initially told investigators he awoke to find his room in flames, but after questioning he said he set the fire.
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