1995 arson case to go to trial A recent state Supreme Court decision will allow prosecutors to use evidence gathered by insurance investigators against a Bristol Township homeowner accused of torching her Levittown home. Monday, February 4, 2002
A Bristol Township woman accused just over six years ago of setting fire to a rental property she owned in an attempt to collect insurance money will finally get her day in court today. Cynthia Efaw, 46, of Horseshoe Lane, was charged with arson in 1997 following a seven-month grand jury investigation. Prosecutors said she set fire to a home she owned on Cornflower Lane in the township to collect on an $88,000 insurance policy. The Dec. 23, 1995 blaze gutted the two-story home, which was being rented by Efaw's daughter. Witnesses told police they saw Efaw leave the house shortly before the blaze erupted. An investigation by the fire marshal and insurance adjusters concluded that a pile of rags or clothing piled on top of a lit electric stove started the fire. When firefighters arrived, they found all four doors to the home locked with deadbolts, prosecutors said. No one was injured in the blaze. Efaw pleaded not guilty and denied any connection with the fire. The case was set to go to trial in 1998, with prosecutors planning to use evidence collected by Efaw's insurance company, State Farm. Her attorney, Mel Kardos, argued that using the insurance adjuster's finding against Efaw was an invasion of her privacy. A Bucks County judge agreed, and prosecutors appealed to the Superior Court, which overturned the county judge's decision. Efaw then appealed to the state Supreme Court, which upheld the Superior Court's decision in June. First Assistant District Attorney David Zellis said he's ready to prosecute the case, even though jogging witnesses' memories could be a challenge. "Time is definitely not on our side, but we're going to do the best we can. We're banking on the fact that for most of the witnesses, this fire was something they won't forget for the rest of their lives," he said. Kardos couldn't be reached for comment Friday. Jury selection is scheduled
to begin today in the case. The trial could last several days. Efaw is
charged with arson, recklessly endangering another person and insurance
fraud. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison.
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