Arsonist’s brother sentenced in plea deal Man released from jail, put on probation

ELLSWORTH – A man who testified earlier this week at an arson trial that resulted in a guilty verdict against his younger sister was sentenced Wednesday as part of a plea agreement.

Michael Yurchick, 33, of Sedgwick, who has been in jail since October 2006, will not serve any additional time, Hancock County Superior Court Justice Kevin Cuddy decided.

Yurchick will, however, be put on probation for a period of two years.

The Sedgwick man initially had been charged with arson, burglary and criminal trespass related to an Oct. 1, 2006, incident in which a house burned down in Sedgwick.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office concluded that the fire was intentionally set and arrested Yurchick and his sister, Amber Yurchick, 19, the next day.

Late last week, Michael Yurchick benefited from a deal between his attorney, William Blaisdell, and the Hancock County District Attorney’s Office. If the man agreed to testify at his sister’s trial, the arson charges would be dropped.

Amber Yurchick faced charges of arson, burglary, terrorizing, assault and criminal trespass during a two-day trial this week, and on Tuesday a jury found her guilty on all counts.

She is scheduled to be sentenced today in Superior Court and could face up to 30 years in prison on the arson charge alone.

Meanwhile, as part of his plea, Michael Yurchick was left only with a charge of burglary for his role in the events of Oct. 1, 2006.

According to court testimony this week, Yurchick and his sister went to a home on Old County Road that Amber Yurchick used to share with her ex-boyfriend.

The sister reportedly was upset that her former boyfriend was at the home with a new female acquaintance.

Amber Yurchick testified on Monday that it was her brother who started the fire. Michael Yurchick said he had nothing to do with it.

A jury ultimately concluded that Amber Yurchick was responsible.

Despite Michael Yurchick’s lengthy criminal history dating back to the mid-1990s, Justice Cuddy said previous offenses were not similar to the burglary charge and therefore were not aggravating factors.

Cuddy also pointed out that Yurchick’s actions last October did not fit the traditional definition of burglary because he didn’t barge into the house with intent to steal anything.