Dutton Charged With Arson
By: Jason Calder
Updated: August 2, 2007
Investigators make a break in a house fire that occurred on Rice street early last month. Now officials are identifying a suspect in the fire that destroyed the home. Jason Calder reports.Firefighters responded to the fire around 2pm July 5th. Now, almost a month later, the cause of the fire has been determined.
Thomas Truett, City Fire Investigator, said, "The cause of the fire at 2762 Rice was that it was intentionally set."
Debra Dutton, one of the homeowners was arrested at the scene for possession of drugs and D.W.I. Now she's being charged with arson.
"Charges were presented to the District Court yesterday and a warrant was issued for her arrest," said Truett.
He said the length of the investigation was needed in order to make sure everything was done by proper procedures.
Truett said, "It's typical because of the statements that have to be collected, evidence that needs to be processed. The different reports that have to be assembled to analyze them and come to a conclusion."
The case is now in the District Attorney's office and will remain there until it's closed. The arson charge is a second degree felony, which would carry a sentence of 2-20 years if convicted.
