A New Hampshire man charged in connection with arson and attempted murder at a Hudson home last month faced a judge on Thursday after being taken into custody in Boston earlier in the day.
Gerald Gutekunst, 73, of Hudson, used a walker and struggled to stand at his arraignment in Boston Municipal Court as a fugitive from justice.
Officials were working to get Gutekunst back to New Hampshire to face charges of Class A felony arson and one count of attempted murder in connection with the April 29 fire at a three-family home on Route 111.
Police said Gutekunst was rescued from the burning building before being taken to a hospital in Nashua and then Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for treatment of his injuries.
Prosecutors said he intentionally set the fire hoping to kill himself and other tenants. They said they found evidence he planned to ambush first responders who showed up to rescue him.
His attorney, Stephen Gomes, said Gutekunst has trouble hearing, seeing and talking.
The fire displaced six residents.
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The judge ordered Gutekunst be held without bail. He's due back in court June 21 for a status hearing.
