Dog killed in arson fire
Menifee, CA (US)Incident Date: Monday, Sep 5, 2011
County: Riverside
Charges: Felony CTA, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Edwin Martin Monsen
A man accused of starting a house fire in Menifee that injured his wife and killed a dog pleaded not guilty today to five felony counts.
Edwin Martin Monsen, 45, is accused of arson in connection with the house fire Sept. 5 at 32870 Sussex Stakes Street. He was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with arson, inflicting corporal injury on his wife, making criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, and cruelty to animals, according to court records.
The fire, which was reported shortly after 5 p.m. Monday and was contained to a first floor at the residence, caused Monsen's wife to suffer injuries, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Melody Hendrickson. She was transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation, Hendrickson reported.
Three dogs were also at the residence at the time of the fire; two escaped the blaze, but one perished, Hendrickson reported.
According to court records, a felony settlement conference for Monsen is scheduled Sept. 19. He remains in custody with bail set at $100,000. References |
