Man Convicted In Fatal Youngstown Arson Appeals Sentence

YOUNGSTOWN (KDKA) -- Attorneys for a man convicted of setting a deadly house fire that killed six family members are appealing that conviction.

Police in Youngstown, Ohio, arrested 20-year-old Michael Davies for the January 2008 arson.

But now he says his confession was illegally obtained by police. He is also appealing his 310-year prison sentence.

Investigators say he lit a porch on fire. The flames quickly spread to the second floor where Carol Crawford, her daughter, Jennifer, and Jennifer's four children ages two through eight, were sleeping.

They all died in the blaze. Five other family members made it out safely.

Surviving relatives are outraged no one notified them that an appeals hearing was taking place. A decision on the appeal could take several months.