By Katie Curley Katzman
SALEM — A Rowley man who tried to blow up his house last year will not go to jail after receiving a suspended jail sentence in Salem Superior Court.
Michael Welenc, 54, has been held at the county jail in Middleton under mental health supervision since he attempted to use natural gas to cause an explosion at his own house in September 2008.
Welenc pleaded guilty last week in front of Judge Timothy Feeley on charges of attempted arson of a dwelling, said Steven O'Connell, spokesman for District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.
"The commonwealth, represented by Assistant District Attorney John Brennan, asked for four to six years in state prison," O'Connell said.
Instead, Feeley sentenced Welenc to a 21รขÑ2-year sentence in Middleton Jail, to be suspended four years. Welenc has been credited 448 days already served.
Welenc filled his 11 Leslie Road home with natural gas and set a remote ignition device, according to Rowley police reports of the incident. The gas meter proved to be at maximum capacity.
According to neighbors at the time, the odor of gas could be smelled down the entire street.
After gas company representatives shut down the line and ventilated the house, firefighters entered and discovered a "crude timing device" made out of two 12-volt batteries and a timer from a sprinkler, according to Deputy police Chief Robert Barker, leading officials to suspect the owner was trying to make the house explode.
According to court reports, Welenc had a history of mental illness and had threatened to commit suicide on more than one occasion.
After a February 2008 court date at Salem Probate Court, Welenc made suicide threats and was admitted to McLean Hospital, according to his court file. Prior to the Sept. 18 incident, Welenc had said in court documents he was "upset about finances and his ex-wife." He had also threatened to "blow himself up" and "kill his ex-wife," according to police reports.
His ex-wife's lawyer had been in touch with Rowley police prior to the incident and had filed a restraining order against Welenc, according to police reports.
"The judge also ordered mental health evaluation and treatment as well as inpatient treatment," O'Connell said. "He will also received psychiatric counseling and must stay away from all witnesses in the case."
Welenc was represented by attorneys Michael McDonald and Mark Chapdelaine.
