Dwight Burton, the man accused of murder and arson in connection with the Floral Ave. fire in Johnson City, waived his preliminary hearing Friday.


According to the Village of Johnson City Court clerk, the hearing has been waived.


Burton, 38, is facing murder and arson charges after being accused of igniting the third-floor hallway of an apartment housing community at 145 Floral Ave. while people were asleep. 4-year-old Joshua Maxwell and 3-year-old Michael Maxwell were among those killed in this fire.


Police say Burton intended to target Jessica Baxter, who was inside with the boys that were killed mother, Erica Kurtz.


Both women, who leaped from a third-story window, suffered severe burns. The women remain in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.


According to District Attorney, Gerald Mollen, the defendant waived the hearing and the next step is a grand jury review, which has not been scheduled yet.