A 60-year-old Moravia man arrested this week on charges that he torched a pickup truck covered in spray-painted swastikas said mental stress associated with his service in Vietnam and in his personal life is to blame.
Cayuga County sheriff's deputies said Daniel L. Hobart, of 5504 Skinner Hill Road, Moravia, was arrested Monday and charged with third-degree felony arson for destroying the vehicle on Feb. 24.
Hobart said he passed the truck, which was parked on the corner of Doolittle and Moravia/Venice Townline roads in Moravia, every time he drove to his sister's house and that eventually he could not stand seeing the swastikas.
“To me (the swastikas) was the equivalent of burning the flag on the ground,” Hobart said.
“I just couldn't take seeing it any more,” Hobart said. “I dunno, I just did something I shouldn't have done.”
Hobart said he is in the process of acquiring medical documentation from his doctor in order to submit it to the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office to prove that he is suffering from mental health issues associated with the recent deaths of two of his children and with the injuries he suffered while serving in the Vietnam War.
Hobart said he would like to ask the DA's office to offer him a lesser charge.
Deputies said they do not believe Hobart played a role in the spray painting of the truck or local street signs that were also spray painted with swastikas or the letter “A” surrounded in a circle last winter. They are still investigating those cases.
Hobart, who is free on $5,000 cash bail, is scheduled to appear in the town of Moravia court on Thursday, May 14.
Currently, Hobart does not have an attorney.
Deputies ask that anyone who has information about the vandalism or the arson call detectives at 253-1610.
Hobart said he passed the truck, which was parked on the corner of Doolittle and Moravia/Venice Townline roads in Moravia, every time he drove to his sister's house and that eventually he could not stand seeing the swastikas.
“To me (the swastikas) was the equivalent of burning the flag on the ground,” Hobart said.
“I just couldn't take seeing it any more,” Hobart said. “I dunno, I just did something I shouldn't have done.”
Hobart said he is in the process of acquiring medical documentation from his doctor in order to submit it to the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office to prove that he is suffering from mental health issues associated with the recent deaths of two of his children and with the injuries he suffered while serving in the Vietnam War.
Hobart said he would like to ask the DA's office to offer him a lesser charge.
Deputies said they do not believe Hobart played a role in the spray painting of the truck or local street signs that were also spray painted with swastikas or the letter “A” surrounded in a circle last winter. They are still investigating those cases.
Hobart, who is free on $5,000 cash bail, is scheduled to appear in the town of Moravia court on Thursday, May 14.
Currently, Hobart does not have an attorney.
Deputies ask that anyone who has information about the vandalism or the arson call detectives at 253-1610.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 10 comment(s)
ARMorgan wrote on May 12, 2009 6:14 PM:
spatrx wrote on May 7, 2009 1:27 PM:
gman wrote on May 7, 2009 12:39 PM:
weedsportian wrote on May 7, 2009 12:21 PM:
CayCntyLifer wrote on May 7, 2009 12:10 PM:
rad1234 wrote on May 7, 2009 10:21 AM:
I would unequivably donate to his defense fund. "
movedin2006 wrote on May 7, 2009 9:45 AM:
If the Citizen could notify me of how to contribute to this man's legal fund, I will match "TTBG"'s donation. "
cnysucks wrote on May 7, 2009 8:38 AM:
rmg13021 wrote on May 7, 2009 8:20 AM:
ttbg wrote on May 7, 2009 8:19 AM: