DA: Man Involved in Bridgehampton Arson to Undergo Psychiatric Evaluation

A Sagaponack man involved in an April 2014 arson that damaged an empty seven-bedroom house on Dune Road in Bridgehampton, will undergo a psychiatric evaluation and a year’s probation in an inpatient psychiatric facility, according to District Attorney Thomas Spota.

David Osiecki, 65, has been incarcerated since April 19, 2014.

In addition to being charged for setting the Bridgehampton residence on fire, Osiecki was indicted and arraigned on another charge of arson for intentionally setting a Patchogue bar on fire in 2013.

He was then sent to the county jail without bail on Dec. 18, after pleading not guilty to the new charge.

Following psychiatric exams in October, he was found competent after psychiatrists determined that he understands the criminal charges he faces, Spota said.

The conditions of his guilty plea on Tuesday, May 26 mandate Osiecki must serve his probation in a residential psychiatric facility but if no venue is found, he will be incarcerated for a minimum of a year and a half to a maximum of four and a half years in state prison.

If the Osiecki violates his probation during his year in a residential psychiatric facility, the court can potentially sentence him to up to 15 years imprisonment.

If he complies with the interim probation conditions while hospitalized, he will plead guilty to third-degree attempted arson and be sentenced to five years’ probation

“The victim of the arson is amenable to this disposition entered into before Justice Camacho,” Spota said. “One of our primary concerns is that he receives treatment for his bipolar disorder and that he continues to be monitored. To that end, if and when the defendant completes his psychiatric hospitalization, he will then serve five more years of probation with mental health conditions.”

Sign up for your local daily Patch newsletter and breaking news alerts here.