Female Audi driver's absurd excuse for burning down huge swathe of neighborhood
Jessie Green, 34, was arrested on Thursday for causing a fire that engulfed a suburban street in Spokane, Washington.
The Spokane Fire Department responded to the scene on Wednesday afternoon after a tree caught fire.
The fire quickly spread to a shed and a nearby fence, eventually destroying the property. Nearby grass fires then broke out from traveling embers.
When the fire department arrived, the fire was rapidly spreading and started moving toward a home, a garage, and multiple fences.
Authorities contained the fire, and there were no reported injuries or displacements. Law enforcement determined that the fire was deliberately set and launched an investigation to find the perpetrator.
Police interviewed witnesses who revealed a woman had left the alley where the fire started just before flames broke out.
Using surveillance camera footage, police matched the license plate in the video to Green's Audi A4.
She was charged with first-degree arson and booked into the Spokane County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
During her first court appearance, her lawyer argued that Green didn't meet the requirements for arson because there was no substantial damage to anyone's home.
According to Washington law, a suspect can be charged with arson if they knowingly and maliciously damage a 'dwelling' using fire or explosives.
A crime can also be considered arson if the suspect burns a property valued at over $10,000 to collect insurance money.
A building is considered a 'dwelling' if it's intended for someone to live in, and since only a shed was significantly damaged, Green's attorney argued that she didn't commit arson.
She added that Green didn't intentionally set the fire and accidentally left a piece of plastic from her pants' tag that sparked the flames.
Green's lawyer also argued that the police report didn't specifically indicate damage to any resident's home, just noted that 'embers fell' in the neighborhood.
Spokane County Court Commissioner Jerry Scharosch agreed that there wasn't enough evidence to charge Green with arson and decreased her charge to first-degree reckless burning.
Scharosch said that the facts in the case are still 'sparse' and added that Green could still be charged with arson if more evidence comes to light.
Reckless burning is a Class C felony and is punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine.
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