http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-krehbiel4sep30,0,2671047.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
By Eve Sullivan
Staff Writer
September 30, 2004
STAMFORD -- Stamford lawyer Constance Krehbiel returned home to the same street where she set a series of fires last year after pleading guilty yesterday to four counts of arson.
Krehbiel, 59, has spent the past year incarcerated at psychiatric hospitals and prisons, including the maximum security York Correctional Institution in Niantic after her bond was revoked. She walked out of state Superior Court in Stamford a free woman after Judge John Kavanewsky Jr. sentenced her to eight years in prison, suspended after time served. The sentence includes five years of probation.
Krehbiel was imprisoned after her fifth arrest for setting fire to the house she owns at 112 Woodmere Road. She lives next door at 116 Woodmere Road.
"I surrendered because of Niantic," Krehbiel said in court, adding that conditions in the prison are worse than in a third-world country.
Though Krehbiel may be happy to return home, neighbors along Woodmere Road have mixed feelings.
"I lost a lot of sleep. I was the one who called in all the fires," said Ann Cyr, who lives next door to Krehbiel's house. "I am a nervous wreck. This has done a job on me, it really has."
Cyr said she hopes and prays Krehbiel gets help and does not want to see her go to prison. But Cyr said she doesn't want to see her house burned or family harmed.
"I don't know if she was treated, if a psychiatrist declared her OK," said Barbara Paulding, who lives across the street. "If she wasn't treated, it seems a little dicey."
Krehbiel pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree arson and one count of second-degree arson for four fires last year on July 19, July 30, Aug. 25 and Sept. 29.
In the first incident, firefighters were called to 112 Woodmere Road for a fire in a stairwell and found five "ignition devices," Supervisory State's Attorney James Bernardi said.
A delayed fuse was used so the person who set the fire could escape before it started, Bernardi said, and kindling such as paper, neatly cut twigs, branches, logs and cardboard boxes were found.
"There was strong circumstantial evidence Krehbiel set the fire," Bernardi said.
Krehbiel had access to the house, her brand of cigarettes were found inside and the type of paper shredded is believed to come from her house, he said.
On July 30, firefighters responded to the same house and found a fire in a crawl space leading to the garage, Bernardi said. The same type of incendiary devices were found.
On Aug. 25, a fire was discovered in a car parked in the driveway of 112 Woodmere Road, Bernardi said.
"She was the only one who had access to the car or had keys to the car," he said.
On Sept. 29, a fire was found in a second-floor closet of the house, he said, and there were no signs of forced entry.
Krehbiel is charged with second-degree arson for the July 30 fire because a firefighter fell and injured himself at the scene, Bernardi said.
Conditions of Krehbiel's probation require her to sell the house at 112 Woodmere Road with the help of an agency within a week of sentencing. She is barred from the property and utilities can be turned on only when the house is shown, Bernardi said. Krehbiel must withdraw any claims for insurance and no further charges will be filed, including charges of insurance fraud, he said.
The locks on the doors will be changed, the windows will be secured and Krehbiel will not have a key, Bernardi said.
Other conditions include psychiatric evaluation and probation that could include electronic monitoring.
Krehbiel, who is suspended from practicing law in the state, pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine, which does not admit guilt but concedes the state has enough evidence to convict.
After entering her plea, Krehbiel told the judge that a lot of things said about her in court were untrue. She thanked Kavanewsky and firefighters for their work but said their findings were wrong.
Krehbiel congratulated the prosecutor for getting a conviction, but then pointed out that she surrendered.
Six fires were set at 112 Woodmere Road but Krehbiel was charged with only five. After her first four arrests for arson, she was allowed to post bond and was released from prison. After her last arrest, a judge revoked her $1.5 million bond and ruled that she is a danger to herself and the neighborhood.
While incarcerated, she was sent to two psychiatric facilities and back to prison. In that time, she was declared competent to stand trial, then incompetent, then competent again.
Another Woodmere Road neighbor said he doesn't expect any further problems.
"I'm sure they'll watch her. She's a brilliant woman, she's an attorney, she must have just cracked," said William Thomson, who lives two houses down from Krehbiel. "She was a good neighbor. I feel sorry for her."
Copyright © 2004, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.