Searights man to stand trial on homicide, arson charges
BROWNSVILLE – A Searights man waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday and will stand trial on charges of homicide and arson. Dwayne Michael Hall, 27, is charged in connection with the Dec. 23, 2000, death of Curtis Solomon Long at 445 School St. in Thompson 2, Luzerne Township.
According to state police, Hall allegedly set fire to Long’s home, and according to the Fayette County coroner’s office, Long died of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Initially, the state police fire marshal was unable to determine the cause of the fire, but authorities later received reports that the fire was set intentionally.
According to a police affidavit, Hall was upset with Long’s girlfriend because of an alleged theft, and he put gasoline into a spray bottle and went to Long’s home with three other men, two of whom have provided police with information.
One of them, Brian Moats, reportedly told police that he was with Long when he set Hall’s house on fire and saw the fire being started at the rear of the house.
Police obtained Long’s telephone records, which listed a call from Long’s phone to a cell phone owned by Moats on the night of the fire, confirming a statement given to them by Stefan Cooper, another person with Long the night of the fire.
No charges were filed in the case until Oct. 22, 2002, once the statements were received. Long is being held at the Fayette County Prison.
Hall’s hearing had been scheduled before District Justice Herbert Mitchell.