AUGUSTA — A woman who allegedly drove an accused arsonist and his gas can to the fire scene was offered immunity from prosecution to testify this afternoon on the third day of the jury trial of Raymond Bellavance Jr.
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Bellavance, 50, of Winthrop, is facing two charges of arson in connection with the June 3, 2009, fire that leveled the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop in Vassalboro.
William Baghdoyan, an attorney for Emma Wood, who is expected to testify this afternoon, said the prosecutor offered Wood “very limited immunity with respect to events June 2 and 3, 2009.”
He told the judge Wood might invoke her 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination if questioned about her use of illegal drugs in that time period.
Justice Michaela Murphy said it would be fair for the defense attorney to question Wood about drug use to determine her ability to remember events accurately.
The prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Alan Kelley, said further immunity could be granted.
Kelley also told the judge that Kris Russ, an inmate who had given statements earlier about Bellavance and the fire, said he did not want to testify.
Earlier today, Jason Lunt of Oakland testified he frequented the topless coffee shop as much as twice a day, but did not want his wife to know.
Lunt testified he threatened to destroy the cell phone of another patron who took a photo in the coffee shop because the picture included him. He said his wife might learn he was there.
He denied that his concern centered around Krista MacIntyre, who was a waitress at the topless coffee shop.
Lunt repeatedly denied having a sexual relationship with MacIntyre, saying he met her through friends when he was in high school.
The prosecution maintains that MacIntyre was Bellavance’s girlffriend and he was jealous of her working there and believed she was involved sexually with Lunt, as well as with Donald Crabtree, owner of the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop.
Crabtree testified on Thursday that he had a sex with MacIntryre three times.
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