Rumors Regarding Another Harrness Fire False

Callan remains in custody
over Friday shooting

By LEON THOMPSON
Messenger Staff Writer

ST. ALBANS CITY –– The Sheldon man accused of firing a gun at Dennis Harrness’s East Sheldon Road home early Friday is still being held on $10,000 bail.

Timothy Callan, 33, was listed this morning as an inmate at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, according to an officer in the booking office there.

Also, rumors that another piece of Harrness farm property burned to the ground over the weekend are not true.

Firemen were quickly called to and back from a fire at Stephen Harrness’s property on Davis Road in Enosburg, but it was a rubbish fire that was not suspicious, according to Robert Gleason, Enosburg assistant fire chief.

Callan, a custodian at the St. Albans Town Educational Center, awaits trial for allegedly firing two bullets at Harrness’s home while Harrness’s wife, Billie, was inside.

Callan told police he had been drunk and was sorry for allegedly firing a high-powered rifle at Harrness’s home, but that he was frustrated over the July 7 murder of his friend Kenneth Jerome, 33, also of Sheldon, according to court records.

Callan has pleaded not guilty to DWI (first offense), aggravated assault, and attempting to elude police. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 18 years in prison and almost $12,000 in fines.

Judge Mark Keller ordered that Callan be held on $10,000 bail, which could be posted via cash or property.

Callan is accused of driving by Dennis Harrness’ home at 3 a.m. Friday and firing two rounds from a Savage .243-caliber rifle. One of the bullets entered the home and struck a desk just a few feet from where Billie Harrness stood, she told police.

Callan told Hill he was drinking at The Abbey restaurant in Sheldon until 11 or 11:30 p.m. Thursday. He then drove home, grabbed his gun and headed to East Sheldon Road, where the Harrnesses live, according to court records.

Callan allegedly tried to outrun police in the East Sheldon Road area and hit a telephone pole. His blood-alcohol content was .179, more than twice the legal limit, and police discovered a half-full bottle of vodka on the driver’s-side floor of his vehicle, court records said.

East Sheldon Road is also where Jerome died of a single gunshot wound to the chest in July, while he worked at Diamond Hill Custom Heifers Farm. The investigation into Jerome’s death is still pending. Police have not arrested anyone, nor have they named any suspects.

Dennis Harrness, 36, awaits trial for allegedly setting fire to his brother Thomas’s home in 1999. A judge ordered that the trial be moved from St. Albans to St. Johnsbury, because the Harrnesses have been mentioned in media coverage of Jerome’s murder.

Jerome and Miller were a couple and had a child together in November. Court records show a strong history of feuds and threats between them and the Harrnesses that stem from the arson charges.

Dennis Harrness is being held without bail for allegedly violating probation on an earlier arson-related conviction after he tested positive for cocaine use.