Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Cat killed in arson fire

Cat killed in arson fire
Iowa City, IA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007
County: Johnson
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony Non-CTA

Abuser/Suspect: Andrea Nicole Paterson

Case Updates: 5 update(s) available

Case ID: 10616

Classification: Burning - Fire or Fireworks, Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: cat

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Iowa City Police on Jan 25 arrested 18-year-old Andrea Nicole Paterson, of 1100 Arthur St. Apt. D6, for first-degree arson and animal neglect causing death. Paterson faces a maximum 25 years and one year in prison on the charges, respectively. Animal neglect also carries a maximum $1,500 fine.

Paterson's pet cat was killed.

Iowa City Fire marshal Roger Jensen declined to comment on the details behind the arson charge.

"We believe that a crime was committed, and we filed the charges," Jensen said. "The details of that we can't discuss. That will play out in a court of law."

Iowa City firefighters responded at 11:11 a.m. Wednesday to the blaze in east Iowa City. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and located the fire in the bedroom. Crews extinguished the fire in about 30 minutes but not before it caused about $25,000 in damage.

Paterson was home at the time of the fire and was standing outside the apartment when firefighters arrived, Iowa City Fire battalion chief Jim Humston said Wednesday. Other apartment complex residents were evacuated.

Paterson's apartment sustained heavy heat, fire and smoke damage, the fire department said. The apartment below Paterson's sustained some water and smoke damage.

Paterson remained in the Johnson County Jail on Thursday evening. A judge will determine Paterson's bond amount when she makes an initial appearance this morning in Johnson County District Court.

Case Updates

According to court records, Andrea Nicole Paterson pleaded guilty to reduced felony arson and animal cruelty charges as part of a plea agreement on June 12, 2007. Further scheduled court dates were vacated. Paterson was sentenced to ten years in prison on the arson charge, but may be eligible for parole as early as one year from now. Paterson also received a year in prison for the animal cruelty charge, and was ordered to pay fines and court costs.

Source: Johnson County Court Case # FECR078509
Update posted on Aug 10, 2007 - 7:05PM

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The trial for a woman accused of setting an apartment fire that killed her cat has been postponed.

Andrea Nicole Paterson faces charges of first-degree arson and animal neglect causing death.

The pre-trial conference is now scheduled for July 26 at 9:30 a.m. and trial is set for August 6, 2007.

Source: FECR078509 Johnson Co
Update posted on May 8, 2007 - 2:01PM

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A woman accused of setting the apartment fire that killed her cat appeared in court on April 5th.

Andrea Nicole Paterson faces charges of first-degree arson and animal neglect causing death.

She will appear next for a pre-trial conference on April 26 at 10:30, and trial is set for May 7, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.

Source: Johnson County Court Case # FECR078509
Update posted on Apr 8, 2007 - 4:40PM

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An Iowa City woman arrested for setting her apartment on fire Wednesday told investigators she started the blaze because she was upset and angry, police reports show.

However, police said it was not immediately clear what Andrea Nicole Paterson was mad about when she set her 1100 Arthur St. apartment on fire.

"I can't tell you that because we're still investigating," Iowa City Police Lt. Sid Jackson said Friday.

Paterson, 18, who lived in Apt. D6, made an initial appearance Friday morning in Johnson County District Court on first-degree arson and animal neglect causing death or injury charges. She also faces a probation violation charge stemming from a separate fire she was accused of setting last March at an Iowa City gas station.

Paterson remained in the Johnson County Jail late Friday afternoon on a $50,000 bond on the arson and animal neglect charges and no bond on the probation violation.

Firefighters responded at 11:11 a.m. Wednesday to the Arthur Street apartment complex where they found Paterson standing outside. No one was injured in the fire, but Paterson's boyfriend's cat was killed.

According to Iowa City Police, Paterson told investigators she set three fires at different locations inside the apartment. The blaze caused about $25,000 in damage and caused some smoke and water damage to the apartment below Paterson's. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to put out the blaze.

Jackson declined to say what Paterson used to start the fires.

Paterson faces a maximum 26 years in prison and a $1,875 fine if convicted of both charges.

Paterson received a deferred judgment in October after pleading guilty to reckless use of fire for setting a fire last March in a restroom trash can at the BP Amoco, 1905 Keokuk St. When arrested, Paterson told police it made her feel "stupid and good at the same time," police records show.

Paterson was re-arrested for interference with official acts hours after setting the gas station fire. Police said she kicked an officer in the right knee and also twice tried to kick out the back window of a squad car.

Paterson received two years of probation on the reckless use of fire charge. She received a suspended fine, given credit for time served and received one year of probation on the interference charge, online court records show.

Source: Press-Citizen - Jan 27, 2007
Update posted on Jan 27, 2007 - 2:22PM

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Authorities in Iowa City said that a fire that destroyed an apartment Wednesday was started by the woman who lived there.

The fire at the Town and Campus Apartments caused about $25,000 in damage.

Andrea Patterson, 18, is charged with first-degree arson and animal neglect. Patterson's cat died as a result of the blaze. Click here to find out more!

If convicted, Patterson could face 25 years in prison.

She appeared in court Jan 26 in Johnson County. Judge Stephen Gerard set her preliminary hearing for 2 p.m. Feb. 5. Her cash-only bond was set at $50,000.

Source: KCCI - Jan 26, 2007
Update posted on Jan 26, 2007 - 10:14PM

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References

	KCRG - Jan 26, 2007
	Press-Citizen - Jan 26, 2007

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Cat killed in arson fireIowa City, IA (US)

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Cat killed in arson fire
Iowa City, IA (US)