A Port Hadlock man who lost his left arm to a homemade bomb in June was charged Friday in Jefferson County Superior Court with first-degree arson along with two felony counts of possession of a bomb or explosive device.
Jesse Thomas Taylor, 46, was also charged with possession of explosive without a license, as well as two counts of reckless endangerment.
Taylor entered pleadings of not guilty to all six charges during his arraignment Oct. 8. His trial was set for Feb. 28.
Police were called to Taylor’s home on Ness’ Corner Road just after 9:30 a.m. June 15 after multiple people called 911 after hearing explosions near D Street.
Other 911 calls quickly followed, with residents reporting hearing people scream and seeing a tree on fire in the neighborhood.
When sheriff deputies arrived, they found a blast area that was more than 30 feet wide. They found Taylor at the scene, with extensive injuries and burns on the top half of his body, according to court documents.