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Court Records on District Arson Suspect Remain Open

The man accused of setting fire to a Rock Island business is appeared in court on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. Anderson’s preliminary hearing started at 8:3...

The man accused of setting fire to a Rock Island business is appeared in court on Tuesday, October 28, 2014.

Anderson's preliminary hearing started at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the County Justice Center in Rock Island. Anderson's public defender asked that court reports dealing with Anderson's 'competency' be sealed due to his medical condition, but the judge denied that motion.

Anderson is deaf and appeared in court with an interpreter Tuesday. His family was also in the court room, but they did not comment on the preliminary hearing. Rock Island County State's Attorney John McGehee says that Anderson may not understand the legal aspects of a trial, one of the reasons why the public defender asked that the court report be sealed.

On October 21, Rock Island Police arrested Jason Earl Anderson. He has been charged with two felony counts of arson. Investigators believe that the fire in The District on September 27, 2014 was intentionally set. The Jaded Gypsy Tattoo on 18th Street was one of the business that was destroyed by the fire. On October 21, the owner of the business said that the arrest is making him ask more questions.

"I thought we would get some closure," owner Dan Bonowski said. "But right now, I just have more questions than anything. First and foremost, why? Why would a person do something like this?"

A status hearing is set for Monday, November 10, at 8:30 a.m.

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