Dog killed in arson fire
Junction City, OR (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Aug 31, 2006
County: Lane

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Becky Jean Demarest

A Junction City woman who set fire to her ex-husband's house while he slept inside has been found guilty but insane by a Lane County judge.

Becky Jean Demarest was ordered to the Oregon State Hospital on April 18, 2007 after she was found guilty of arson, attempted aggravated murder and aggravated animal abuse.

Demarest set fire to the Junction City home last September. Karl Demarest and his girlfriend escaped with minor injuries. But the fire killed a dog named Ginger, destroyed the woman's minivan and heavily damaged the house.

The 47-year-old will remain under the care of the state's Psychiatric Security Review Board for a maximum of 20 years. Should the review board determine before then that she is no longer a danger to others, it can release her back into the community with proper medications or supervision.

References

• KOIN - April 19, 2007

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