FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) - A woman accused of starting a fire at the central New Jersey townhouse where she lives must remain jailed pending her trial.
A state superior court judge ruled Tuesday that 20-year-old Suzanne Demo poses a risk to the public. She’s charged with aggravated arson, assault with a deadly weapon and animal cruelty in the Sept. 9 blaze that severely damaged the home and killed two pets.
Monmouth County prosecutors say Demo was angry that her father refused to give her $50, and she responded by setting her bedroom in her family’s Marlboro townhouse on fire.
Demo’s attorney says his client has a history of addiction and she wants to go into rehabilitation.
Her attorney says “when she’s sober, she’s a fine person.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.