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Arson/Capital Murder - Arkansas
MORROW, Ark. (AP) - A Morrow man has been arrested on arson and
capital murder charges in connection with a house fire in which his
wife died.
Richard Doyle Cantrell, 61, was arrested Tuesday, Washington
County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jak Kimball said.
A fire Nov. 21 killed Norma Nell Cantrell, 59, and destroyed the
couple's home, Kimball said.
"She died as a result of an arson which makes it automatically
capital murder," Kimball said. "It's very possible that the
intent of the fire was nothing more than for insurance."
According to an arrest warrant, Cantrell had an $80,000 home
insurance policy that he tried to collect the day after the fire.
Prosecutors said investigators determined the fire was
intentionally set, and that gasoline was used to start the fire in
the house's utility room.
Richard Cantrell told investigators that he awakened because of
the smoke, went outside to turn on the hose, then tried to call
911, and later went back inside to warn his wife, who needed a
walker to get around.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
capital murder charges in connection with a house fire in which his
wife died.
Richard Doyle Cantrell, 61, was arrested Tuesday, Washington
County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jak Kimball said.
A fire Nov. 21 killed Norma Nell Cantrell, 59, and destroyed the
couple's home, Kimball said.
"She died as a result of an arson which makes it automatically
capital murder," Kimball said. "It's very possible that the
intent of the fire was nothing more than for insurance."
According to an arrest warrant, Cantrell had an $80,000 home
insurance policy that he tried to collect the day after the fire.
Prosecutors said investigators determined the fire was
intentionally set, and that gasoline was used to start the fire in
the house's utility room.
Richard Cantrell told investigators that he awakened because of
the smoke, went outside to turn on the hose, then tried to call
911, and later went back inside to warn his wife, who needed a
walker to get around.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)