Latest news with #JessieGreen
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Female Audi driver's absurd excuse for burning down huge swathe of neighborhood
A female Audi driver torched a huge swathe city's claimed she'd done so accidentally while trying to burn loose strings off her pants. 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.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman accused of lighting north Spokane neighborhood on fire says it was accident
May 9—A 34-year-old woman accused of starting a fire Wednesday that spread to several properties in a north Spokane neighborhood told police the fire was accidental. Jessie R. Green, 34, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of first-degree arson and made her first appearance Friday in Spokane County Superior Court, where her bond was set at $5,000. The fire started in an alley next to a fence on East North Avenue near North Standard Street and spread to a tall pine tree and bushes, sending embers that sparked spot fires and burnt a home and several outbuildings, according to the Spokane Fire Department. No injuries were reported and no residents were displaced, according to the fire department. Green told police she drove into an alley to go to the bathroom and used a torch to try to burn off string at the bottom of her pant leg, according to court documents. She said she accidentally burned a plastic label and threw it out of her vehicle before driving away, not knowing she started a fire. Security camera footage from a home in the neighborhood caught an Audi A4 stopping next to the pine tree and Green opening the car door and leaning out, according to court documents. She closed the door, drove away and a fire could be seen moments later. Police received an automatic license plate reader notification of a vehicle that matched the description of Green's vehicle. The Washington license plate number connected to Green's Spokane home address, where officers found the car parked Thursday, court records show. Police made a traffic stop on the vehicle at East Fifth Avenue and South Cook Street, where they arrested Green.
