Rochester resident accused of lighting fire at Kimball Castle in jail ahead of trial

Peyton Eastman, accused of lighting the fire that torched the historic Kimball Castle, was ordered to be held in jail before trial. Judge Elizabeth Leonard agreed with the prosecution he would pose a danger to the public or himself if released, during court on Thursday.

Eastman, 20, of Rochester, and Joshua Pittman, 19, of Somersworth, are now both in jail, pending trial for their involvement in the Aug. 27, 2025, fire that burned down Kimball Castle, on Lockes Hill Road in Gilford.

Direct indictments for arson charges were handed down by the Belknap County Grand Jury on Sept. 18.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt. Rather, it is a finding by a Grand Jury enough evidence of an alleged crime exists to warrant bringing a case to trial.

Eastman is accused of lighting a cardboard box and setting fire to a chair cover in the castle. With Pittman’s alleged assistance, the fire spread, and eventually destroyed the castle.

Kimball Castle was built in the 1800s, and while it was mostly stone, wood inside ignited. It was so heavily damaged the building was demolished.

The castle was on the National Registry of Historic Places. Arson of a historic structure is a felony, and holds a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, and a $4,000 fine.

Eastman first appeared on Oct. 8, in Laconia District Court for a first reading of charges. Deputy County Attorney Erin Barnes notified the court the direct indictment had been handed down, and the reading of the charges was scheduled in Belknap Superior Court the following day.

Eastman was not represented at the time. He went to Belknap Superior Court, located next door, where he applied for an attorney. The Superior Court reading of charges was rescheduled for Oct. 15. There, he was represented by attorney Christopher Somma of Somma Law PLLC.

Barnes gave a synopsis of the events that allegedly unfolded in the early morning hours of Aug. 27, 2025, when Eastman and Pittman, along with two minor girls, torched the castle.

She said firefighters were alerted by multiple calls that Kimball Castle and surrounding woods were on fire. Firefighters confirmed it was engulfed in flames upon arrival, and it had spread to the woods. Nearby structures, including a guest house only feet away, were not damaged.

“The castle is, or was, I should say, made of stone, but the interior was wood, which is why it was able to be set on fire,” Barnes said.

Barnes said the property itself was valued at close to $1 million, and the castle was valued around $400,000. The castle was not insured, because it was uninhabitable.

The castle is owned by Melissa Starkey. It had no running water and electricity, and  Barnes said it remained on the site with hopes of someday being rehabilitated to hold events.

“It was an important part of Gilford, and actually the Lakes Region, for a very long time,” Barnes said.

Barnes said the Fire Marshal’s Office began the investigation hours later, which led to several Twisted Tea cans found in the area, and a partially smoked cigar. Early investigation pointed to the fire being intentionally set, and ruled out natural hazards, such as lightning.

As the investigation continued, witnesses came forward to speak with police. Barnes said it was determined Eastman and Pittman, and the two minors, had gone to the property. Video posted on Snapchat, as well as interviews, show the defendants setting and spreading the fire, allegedly on purpose.

An affidavit states a school resource officer at Kingswood Regional High School reported, on Sept. 5, 2025, that Eastman sent a student a Snapchat image of him lighting the box near “Welcome to Hell” graffiti at the castle. The graffiti was confirmed with Starkey to be at the castle.

Warrants for Eastman and Pittman’s Snapchat accounts were obtained on Sept. 23, and Oct. 7, 2025. Information obtained with the warrants showed they were both within 40 meters of the castle between 12:21 and 1:45 a.m. on the day of the fire.

Videos show Eastman setting the fire, which was perpetuated by Pittman, who added more wood to the already spreading blaze. Barnes said the investigation found Eastman and Pittman, and the two minors, were taking photographs in front of the burning structure to show off their outfits.

“The state is asking that this defendant be held, very similar to the argument I made with his co-defendant,” Barnes said. “Along with the massive property damage, the massive damage, there is the fact that this is something that is so destructive.”

She also said they put themselves in danger by going back into the building to add more materials to the rapidly-spreading fire.

“All four people who were there are lucky to still be here with us,” Barnes said.

Barnes called it a “shocking lack of judgment,” and it was dangerous and damaging to the community. She said the fact Eastman chose to do this with minors shows he is a danger to the community.

Barnes cited his criminal record, noting he was charged, on May 22, for drunk driving and disobeying an officer in Rochester. He was also convicted for driving with a revoked license about a year ago, and a misdemeanor for disobeying an officer in 2024.

Barnes asked he be held, and requested the court put “no contact” orders in place for Pittman, Starkey and the minors involved.

Somma said the bail statute is clear, and the purpose of bail isn’t to incarcerate someone to punish them before being found guilty or not guilty. He said the purpose of bail is to ensure Eastman attends court, and to prevent dangerous behavior to himself or others.

“I do not believe the state has met its burden,” Somma said.

“What we have here is community outrage about what happened.”

Somma added Eastman had been to court twice before that, and isn’t a flight risk. Since the incident, Somma said Eastman hasn’t committed other offenses, and works a full-time job. Somma asked the court to tailor bail conditions to allow Eastman to be in the community, as he didn’t represent a danger to himself or others.

“As hard as it is to swallow sometimes, but it’s the truth, is that he is innocent until proven guilty,” Somma said.

Leonard called the allegations “very serious crimes,” and said preventive detention is warranted.

“The court does find no restrictions other than preventive detention are appropriate,” Leonard said, and a no-contact provision is in place.

Both Eastman and Pittman are due back in Belknap Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, for a dispositional conference.