The purchase of a new home can keep a buyer busy, especially with all of the initial remodeling and furnishing that takes place to improve the look of the house. One homeowner decided that instead, while she was having parts of her home remodeled, she wanted to destroy one portion to bring in some extra cash.
In January of 2009, Theresa Norton purchased a home in Pierce, Idaho for $85,000. She took out an insurance policy on the house for $240,000, and began to move in some items and remodel parts of the home that spring before moving her family in permanently that June.
In April, however, the local fire department responded to a blaze at Norton's new residence. Officials determined that the fire started on a bed in the basement the previous day. A gas cap was discovered, increasing the likeliness that the fire had spread with the help of an accelerant.
The house, however, was not destroyed because of precautions that had been taken, including a closed basement door and a missing attic space cover. This proved that the fire was intentionally set, and both Norton and her friend Jason Stacy, who had been assisting with renovations, accused Norton's soon-to-be ex-husband, Daryl, of starting the fire. Both Norton and Stacy were continually interviewed as to their whereabouts the day of the fire, and Stacy eventually admitted to starting the fire at Norton's request.
Norton was arrested and convicted on charges of arson in the first degree, conspiracy to commit arson in the first degree, and insurance fraud. She was handed a unified sentence of five years in jail with one and a half years determinate.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.