Jul 1, 2015 2 min read

A Washington man accused of putting his girlfriend’s clothing on a bed and setting the items on fire in the Chartiers Township home they once shared last month waived his case to court Wednesday after two charges against him were withdrawn by the prosecution.

Kevin Wayne Demain, 38, of 1602 Donnan Ave., waived two counts of arson and one count of terroristic threats after charges of criminal mischief and reckless endangerment were withdrawn at his preliminary hearing in Central Court before District Judge Jay Weller.

Chartiers and Houston firefighters were called to a home at 110 Pine Ave. June 3 for a report of a fire in the bedroom. Demain and Michelle Ellis, identified in court documents as his girlfriend, rented the home from Anthony and Cynthia Powell of Hickory. Trooper Eric Graham, a state police fire marshal, determined the fire was incendiary and started on a bed in a first-floor bedroom after clothing had been piled on the bed and set on fire.

During his investigation, township police Sgt. Steven Horvath learned Demain was drinking that night and Ellis left the home. Demain reportedly called Ellis several times and argued with her. He also allegedly threatened to assault her as well as burn her belongings and those of her father.

During an interview with police, Demain reportedly admitted to drinking and to the argument. He told police that he took the clothes from the closet, piled them on the bed and bedroom floor and used a disposable light to set the clothing on fire. Demain also reportedly told police that he did it because he was mad at Ellis.

Weller told Demain, who is free on $50,000 bond, that he is to have no contact “and that means no contact through electronic devices or by a third person.”

The homeowner asked that Demain remove his possessions that are still in the house because he is trying to have it remodeled. Defense attorney Renee Colbert agreed to work with the landlord to have Demain remove the items within the next week.