Westclox arson trial scheduled to begin Monday

Two months ago smoke was pouring from the old Westclox factory in Peru.  Thursday was the last pretrial hearing for one of the teens accused of starting it.

17 year old Steven Gallacher of La Salle has been in the La Salle County Jail since he and a 15 year were arrested only hours after the fire. He’ll go on trial next week for felony aggravated arson.  Unlike the 15 year old, he hasn’t taken a plea deal.

Jury selection is scheduled for Monday.  Meanwhile, the younger boy will learn his punishment Tuesday in juvenile court.  He could be ordered to live in a juvenile prison until he’s 21 years old.