Messiah McMaster, center partially hidden by court officers, speaks with Laura Wilson on Feb. 9 after a Coos County jury found McMaster guilty of felonies, including arson. McMaster, who is not an attorney, served as his own attorney throughout the five-day trial. Wilson, an attorney, answered McMaster's questions when McMaster privately asked them. (LISA D. CONNELL PHOTO)
The re-built Chevarie home at 1545 Main St., Berlin, after the Feb. 28, 2022, fire destroyed it. To the right, is the home where Messiah McMaster once lived, at 1553 Main St. (LISA D. CONNELL PHOTO)
Messiah McMaster, center partially hidden by court officers, speaks with Laura Wilson on Feb. 9 after a Coos County jury found McMaster guilty of felonies, including arson. McMaster, who is not an attorney, served as his own attorney throughout the five-day trial. Wilson, an attorney, answered McMaster's questions when McMaster privately asked them. (LISA D. CONNELL PHOTO)
Messiah McMaster on the first day of his trial in Coos County Superior Court in Lancaster on felony charges including arson. (LISA D. CONNELL PHOTO)
The re-built Chevarie home at 1545 Main St., Berlin, after the Feb. 28, 2022, fire destroyed it. To the right, is the home where Messiah McMaster once lived, at 1553 Main St. (LISA D. CONNELL PHOTO)
LANCASTER — A jury found Messiah McMaster guilty of arson, burglary and two counts of criminal mischief Friday afternoon in Coos County Superior Court, after a five-day trial and 30 minutes of juror deliberation.
McMaster, 39, who is not an attorney, acted as his own attorney, or pro se. Laura Wilson, an attorney, served as McMaster’s counsel as needed. John McCormack, Coos County attorney, prosecuted the case, which stems from the Feb. 28, 2022, house fire at 1545 Main St., Berlin, that destroyed the house. Richard and Janet Chevarie, the homeowners, were away from Berlin at the time of the fire. Defendant McMaster lived next door at 1553 Main St.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
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Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.