Karen Miller
CARMI, Ill. - Despite the griping of family members and friends to the contrary, a case of Arson has been made against a Carmi woman.
Carmi Police Chief Jason Carter advised that the incident, which was covered in this post on Tuesday, occurred Monday afternoon (August 28) at approximately 12:30 p.m.; that's when the city's police and fire were dispatched to a single story structure fire at 611 Second Street in town.
Carter said that upon arrival, officers noted the southwest side of the home was fully engulfed in fire. Carmi Fire began fighting the fire while police began speaking with neighbor and witnesses of it.
Additional fire units were requested to assist in fighting the fire. Enfield, Norris City and Crossville fire department personnel arrived to assist.
The home was owned by Robert R. Horn and Karen S. Miller, but currently occupied by Horn and a girlfriend, Tena Smith. Officers knew there was currently no electricity or utilities to the home, as they had recently been shut off.
Officers were informed that Horn and Smith had left the residence around 11 a.m. on foot; they were on their way back home when they observed smoke coming from the home. Neighbors called 911....and the approaching Horn and Smith observed Miller on the porch of 610 Second Street, watching the fire.
That's about the time a verbal argument ensued between Smith and Miller. Miller exited the porch and came into the street in front of the burning home and a physical altercation began between the two females. They had just separated when officers arrived.
Smith told them she wanted to sign a complaint against Smith. Animal Control was on the scene, and they and Horn advised police that his two dogs were missing from the fenced in back yard of the burning home. Horn said that the dogs had gone missing the previous evening at about 8 p.m. and he'd reported it to Animal Control.
Miller was located inside the residence at 610 Second, and placed under arrest for Aggravated Battery. While this was going on, officers located the missing dogs - in the basement of the house Miller was in. She was subsequently charged with Theft under $500.
After the fire was extinguished, the State Fire Marshal was called to the scene and arrived Monday afternoon. As a result of his investigation, the fire marshal listed the fire as Arson.
After completing more interviews of neighbors and witnesses, Karen Miller was formally charged on Tuesday with Residential Arson and Criminal Damage to Property over $500.
Miller had some supporters on Disclosure's Facebook page when the initial story appeared, some getting downright vicious about references to arson (apparently, there's a suggestion that such a thing has happened before.) They have removed their comments for the most part...especially after being told that it was probably a better idea to be seeking Miller some legal help instead of griping about how she did or did not do one thing or another.
Miller is currently being held at the White County Jail, set for a preliminary hearing next Wednesday (street date for the upcoming September Special Edition; be sure your subscriptions are up-to-date, both print or online), Sept. 6 at 9:30 a.m.