3 Teens Accused In Shakespeare Theater Fire Get New Court Date

STRATFORD, CT — It appears the cases of three teens accused of burning down the American Shakespeare Theatre won't be resolved until April at the earliest.

The trio appeared in court Thursday and, despite hints that progress is being made, the cases were continued to April 29.

Christopher Sakowicz, Vincent Keller and Logan Caraballo each face arson and arson-related charges in connection with the Jan. 13 blaze, according to attorney Frank Riccio, who is representing Keller. The defendants were all under 18 at the time of the fire but are charged as adults, Riccio said.

Sacowikz and Keller are also charged with offenses related to fires Jan. 15 at the Southbury Training School, Feb. 8 in a vacant West Haven home, Feb. 17 at the old Bilco Co. in West Haven, March 9 at Good Earth Tree Care in Stratford and March 24 at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Riccio confirmed. The cases for Sacowikz and Keller have been consolidated and are being processed simultaneously in the Fairfield Judicial District, Riccio said.

Prior to Thursday's court appearances, Riccio predicted prosecutor Howard Stein would make an offer to potentially resolve the cases, after the Connecticut Post reported last month that the teens could receive a plea deal.

During Thursday's appearances, the involved parties discussed a request from state officials that Riccio must review with Keller, but provided no additional details. Ongoing discussion was also referenced in relation to Sacowikz. Caraballo's appearance took place in a closed courtroom and his attorney, Jessica Kordas, declined to comment.

Stratford's iconic Shakespeare theater, which opened in 1955 and had been visited by famous actors and actresses including Katharine Hepburn, largely stopped showing plays in the 1980s. There has been talk for decades about how to revitalize the historic property.

After the fire at the theater, the trio admitted on Snapchat to starting the blaze in a video circulated at Bunnell High School, which Sakowicz and Keller attended at the time, according to the Connecticut Post.