After a brief delay, a Binghamton man accused of brutally attacking two neighbors and setting their apartment house on fire is scheduled to be arraigned on murder and arson charges.

WILFREDO PICA-TORRES (Photo: Binghamton Police Department)
WILFREDO PICA-TORRES (Photo: Binghamton Police Department)
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Wilfredo Pica-Torres’ court appearance for the February attack that left 61-year-old Victor Banayan dead had been postponed until a Spanish-language interpreter could be secured for the proceedings.

Last month, Pica-Torres was named in a five-count indictment handed up by a Broome County Grand Jury charging him with two counts of murder and three arson counts.

Authorities accused the West Side man of beating Banayan and a 27-year-old woman with a blunt object February 9th and setting the Walnut Street apartment house on fire.  Banayan died but the woman and the four adults and three children also living in the apartment house were able to get out.

Pica-Torres had fled to a nearby house on Thorpe Street where he barricaded himself inside the building.  He set that building ablaze as well but was taken into custody as he came out of the burning house.

 

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