REDFIELD, Ark. (AP) -- A man has been accused of setting fire to his landlord's house after the landlord tried to evict him, authorities said. Monday, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Jodi Dennis set a $100,000 bond for Jason Brown after ruling that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to charge Brown with arson.
Redfield police officer Steven Mates testified that the landlord was trying to evict Brown from the apartment because the condition of the apartment was "unacceptable."
"They had a deal that if the apartment was unacceptable, the landlord would clean the apartment and charge Brown for the cleaning," Mates said.
Brown reportedly set fire to his landlord's house as revenge, Mates said. Brown was found at a nearby home shortly after, and officers reported smelling gasoline on his clothes, Mates said.
Deputy Prosecutor Sara Dalrymple requested the $100,000 bond, because the "victim is terrified about this whole incident and afraid of what else might happen."
Also Monday, a public defender was appointed to represent Brown, who faces an Aug. 6 court hearing.
Redfield police officer Steven Mates testified that the landlord was trying to evict Brown from the apartment because the condition of the apartment was "unacceptable."
"They had a deal that if the apartment was unacceptable, the landlord would clean the apartment and charge Brown for the cleaning," Mates said.
Brown reportedly set fire to his landlord's house as revenge, Mates said. Brown was found at a nearby home shortly after, and officers reported smelling gasoline on his clothes, Mates said.
Deputy Prosecutor Sara Dalrymple requested the $100,000 bond, because the "victim is terrified about this whole incident and afraid of what else might happen."
Also Monday, a public defender was appointed to represent Brown, who faces an Aug. 6 court hearing.
