'That's what he gets': Woman accused of setting fire to Milwaukee home that led to man's death
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 62-year-old woman is accused of intentionally setting fire to a Milwaukee home that led to a man's death.
Investigators say Merchelle Adams admitted to starting the fire that happened near 29th and Bobolink on Tuesday, July 11.
The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the scene and located the fire on the second floor of a two-and-a-half story building. Officials also found 60-year-old Anthony Winters, who authorities say was blind, on the second floor of the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to a criminal complaint, a witness told investigators he was inside his vehicle when he saw flames coming out of the residence. He stated he saw a woman -- later identified as Adams -- walk from the area of the residence, cross the street and sit on some rocks. He stated the woman said, "I set the house on fire," and began to laugh. The man told investigators he heard Adams then say, there is a "blind man in there...that's what he gets."
Adams was taken into custody and when asked why this incident occurred, Adams allegedly said it was due to domestic violence.
Adams, according to the complaint, stated earlier in the day, she and the victim were drinking beer and the victim wanted to go get some food, but she said no. The complaint says, Adams didn't want to go get food because the victim "was drunk."
Adams told investigators, according to the complaint, while she was sitting in a chair watching television, the victim pushed her out of it.
The complaint says, Adams at first provided different versions of how the fire started but then admitted while the victim was sleeping on a mattress in the living room of the residence, she started the mattress on fire with a lighter.
After starting the fire, Adams -- according to the complaint -- told the victim to get up and put the fire out. She stated the victim asked for help to put the fire out but she ran out of the door.
Adams told investigators the victim, "had a choice to get out, but that he didn't want to get out and that he stayed in there."
Adams has been charged with one count of first degree reckless homicide and one count of arson of a building.
A judge set Adams' bond at $200,000. She's due in court for a preliminary hearing on July 21.
