By Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — A 35-year-old Cushing man, who admitted he tried to set fire to his residence in the 1200 block of E. Cherry Street, has been placed on 10 years’ probation with conditions including having a substance abuse evaluation, undergoing any recommended follow-up treatment, having random drug tests, taking an anger management course, doing 80 hours of community service and paying $1,560 in assessments along with court costs.
Matthew Lee Hale, who had pleaded guilty to fourth-degree arson, was sentenced last week by Payne County Associate District Judge Michael Kulling in accordance with a plea agreement with the prosecution.
Hale had been arrested by Cushing Police Officer Alex Austin Gegen at 2:26 pm on April 12 at the residence, which is owned by a relative of Hale, court records show.
“When I arrived, I observed a red gasoline can sitting in the roadway directly in front of the residence,” the officer wrote in his affidavit.
“Upon arrival, Hale exited a van that was parked in the yard. Hale was sat on a curb due to the smell of gasoline on him, where he sat with Officer Carpenter,” the affidavit said.
His relative said, “she wanted her house key back before him leaving.
“She advised she went into his room and found two bags of ‘pot.’ She said she opened the bags while she was outside, and the pot blew away.
“She stated he slung the gas can. She stated he was pouring gas towards the back,” where there was a smell of gasoline, the officer wrote in his affidavit.
“She stated that no one was inside at the time,” the affidavit said.
After showing where Hale poured the gasoline, “She said that Hale stated, ‘I’ll burn this mother down.’
“She advised she did not know if the gasoline got onto the house,” the affidavit said.
The next day, she obtained an emergency protective order against Hale, court records show.
