Pea Ridge woman pleads not guilty to arson

 Tammy Rogers Tammy Rogers
Tammy Rogers Tammy Rogers

BENTONVILLE -- A Pea Ridge woman who police found unconscious with a lighter in her hand in the yard of her burning home has pleaded not guilty to arson.

Tammy Rogers, 46, is charged with the Class A Felony that's punishable with a prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years.

She pleaded not guilty during an arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green on Monday.

Rogers was arrested May 31. Pea Ridge police and fire personnel initially received a call at 11:12 p.m. May 30 concerning a house fire and dead body at 2010 Greenwood Cove, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Police found Rogers unresponsive in the yard. She was taken from the scene by ambulance, according to the affidavit.

Mike Marler, a Pea Ridge patrolman, said he found Rogers with a lighter in her hand. Marler said he overheard Rogers say she had used gasoline to set fire to her house.

Rogers later was interviewed at the hospital where she admitted to a police officer to setting the fire, according to the affidavit.

A gas can was found in the home. Police found video of Rogers purchasing the gas can from a convenience store.

Rogers is accused of setting fire to the house and causing at least $15,000 damage.

Kevin Lammers, deputy public defender, represented Rogers at Monday's hearing and asked Green to reduce Rogers' $50,000 bond.

Rogers had written a letter to Green requesting she be released on her own recognizance so she could go to the house and recover belongings. Rogers said she has several family members who live in the area who can look after her, according to the letter.

In the letter Rogers also said she was under a doctor's care and being treated for rheumatoid arthritis, and she didn't think it was fair for taxpayers to have to pay for her care.

Samuel Martin, deputy prosecutor, told Green that Rogers had been arrested on different occasions for violating a no-contact order involving her former husband.

Green then increased the bond, setting it at $75,000.

NW News on 07/08/2015

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