Woman accused of setting fire that killed father-in-law

Published 9:27 pm Thursday, December 21, 2017

WEST POINT (AP) — A 37-year-old woman has been arrested for capital murder after investigators concluded she set a house fire that killed her disabled father-in-law on Thanksgiving.

Latoria Brownlee is accused of the murder of William Brownlee Sr., who died in a fire in his home. She was arrested Wednesday and denied bail in a Thursday morning hearing in West Point Municipal Court. It’s unclear if she has a lawyer to speak for her.

The Daily Times Leader reports Brownlee said little during Thursday’s hearing, but held a paper including questions such as “Why would I burn my own house down?”

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West Point Fire Chief Ken Wilbourne has said investigators determined an incendiary was used to set the fire, which burned most intensely around William Brownlee Sr.’s bed.