HOUSTON --
A woman charged in connection with a fatal high-rise fire had her bond reduced on Tuesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Misty Weaver, 33, is charged with setting a four-alarm fire in an office building in the 9300 block of the North Loop East on March 28.
Jeanette Hargrove, 52, Marvin Wells Sr., 46, and Shana Ellis, 38 were killed in the fire. Seven others, including three firefighters, were injured.
Weaver's bond was originally set at $330,000. Her attorneys argued that the amount was excessive and oppressive. Five witnesses, including Weaver's mother and employer, testified on her behalf to convince Judge Michael McSpadden that she was not a flight risk or a danger to society.
McSpadden lowered Weaver's bond to $180,000. Weaver's parents have offered to put their home up as collateral but would still need to raise several thousand dollars more.
Investigators said Weaver confessed to setting the fire in Dr. Robert Caprioti's fifth-floor office. She told detectives she set the fire because she feared losing her job because she had not completed paperwork for an accreditation audit that was due the next day.
Weaver probably did not intend to kill anyone with the fire and did not expect the fire to get out of control, authorities said.
Weaver, who does not have a criminal history, is on suicide watch at the Harris County Jail. Investigators said she has shown remorse for what happened.
If convicted, Weaver could be sentenced to life in prison.
Previous Stories:
- April 16, 2007: Lawyers, Engineers Survey Fatal Office Fire Scene
- April 11, 2007: Victim's Family Sues After High-Rise Office Fire
- April 10, 2007: Prosecutor: Nurse Used Lighter To Set Fire
- April 9, 2007: Suspect In High-Rise Office Fire Appears In Court
- April 8, 2007: Woman Confesses To Fatal Fire, Officials Say
- April 4, 2007: Hundreds Pay Final Respects To Office Fire Victim
- April 4, 2007: Injured Fire Captain Talks About Ordeal
- April 3, 2007: Inspectors Get Up-Close View Of 4-Alarm Fire Scene
- March 30, 2007: 4-Alarm Fire Investigation May Resume Monday
- March 28, 2007: 3 Die In 4-Alarm Office High-Rise Fire
