Jury trial set for man charged with arson in Ypsilanti's Thompson Block fire
A man charged with setting fire to the historic Thompson Block building in Ypsilanti in 2009 will stand trial for arson in April. Court records show jury selection for Jacob Popiolek will begin April 18 in Washtenaw County Circuit Court as he faces one count of arson of real property.
Popiolek, 21, appeared briefly in court last week for a pre-trial hearing. He had previously agreed to switch attorneys, and is now represented by the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office, which has a long-standing policy against commenting on pending cases.
The Thompson Block building in Ypsilanti, shown recently, burned in a fire in 2009.
Art Aisner | For AnnArbor.com
Jacob Popiolek
He was among several people trespassing in the building just before the fire started, police said.
Popiolek is the only one charged in the case and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The building, which is nearly 150 years old, was the focus of a legal battle between city officials and developer Stewart Beal following the fire.
That battle has since been resolved. Beal received nearly $2 million in state tax credits to renovate the building. Popiolek was ordered to stand trial following a preliminary hearing in December. He remains free on a personal bond pending a pre-trial hearing on April 5.
Art Aisner is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.
I have to agree with many posts, I also would like to see a follow-up story on the status of the Thompson Block and Beal's progress so far? Clearly, even if Jacob Popiolek is found guilty, he won't be able to come up with any means of coughing up the money to repair the Thompson block and besides, Beal didn't have insurance on the place prior to the fire, so the arsonist guilt or innocence doesn't really matter, huh? What is REALLY happening?
Michael Schils
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 6:35 p.m.
Why would he agree to "switch attorneys" to a public defender?...bad choice. He should have stayed with the attorney he had.
Rusnak
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
Somethings missing here. "He was among several people trespassing in the building just before the fire started, police said." I'm not a lawyer but, I think it's going to be hard to prove intent and then where are the others?
no flamers!
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
If the defendant is found guilty, I hope the sentencing judge considers not just the typical arson factors but the effect this has had on the broader community. And I echo the statements of prior posters that this has always been and will always be an empty eyesore and it is embarrassing that a developer with no money and no record of success AT THIS SITE has outmaneuvered community leaders for 2 years. Pre-fire, this building lacked redeeming architectural features that would have warranted renovation. It is truly absurd that efforts are being made--on our time, on our roads--to shore up the building walls for these two years.
T. Kinks
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
That building has been an eyesore ny whole life & Beal isn't doing a thing w/ it. TEAR IT DOWN already.
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 11:53 a.m.
@jimmy, it appears that it hasn't been touched. someone (beal i would assume) has been dismantling the loose bricks PAINFULLY slowly. check the southeast corner.
Jimmy McNulty
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
I would like to see a follow-up story on the status of the Thompson Block and Beal's progress so far. This eyesore of a building does not appear to have been touched since the fall. What is the status of the $1.8 million in state tax credits, especially now with the new state budget proposal? As I recall, Beal stated that he had a financial backer but that he would only receive backing if he could get a guarantee that Ypsi City would not condemn the property. That being said, where are we now? What is the timeline? When will this eyesore be either renovated or torn down?