Gov. Baker Aids in Alleged Arsonists Return to Pittsfield

Nearly two months after Phillip Jordan tried to flee the county after allegedly starting four house fires in the city of Pittsfield, Gov. Charlie Baker has stepped in to help return the suspect to Berkshire County.

It's alleged that on September 22, Phillip Jordan set four house fires at various locations throughout the city, including his own home on Appleton Avenue, and then he attempted to flee the county before his arrest by U.S. Borders and Customs officers at the Candian border.

Since then, his extrication to Berkshire County has been waiting for approval in Franklin District Court, in Vermont, but a request from Governor Charlie Baker hopes to expedite the process. According to The Berkshire Eagle, Gov. Baker will petition Vermont Governor Phil Scott to honor a rarely used governor's warrant, to bring the suspect back for further legal action.

According to Berkshire County Assistant District Attorney Joseph Pieropan, the warrant is waiting to be approved by the Vermont Governor's legal team. He stresses that this has nothing to do with guilt or innocence, but simply respecting the legal process.  In October, the arson suspect came before a judge in Franklin District Court, but was not able to satisfy that judge that he was of sound mind to waive his rights in relation to the extradition.