Alleged arsonist's claim prompts Pa. plea appeal

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — A northeastern Pennsylvania woman who pleaded guilty to charges connected to a 2008 house fire is seeking to have her plea thrown out after an alleged serial arsonist claimed responsibility in a newspaper interview.

The Times-Tribune of Scranton reports the petition was filed on behalf of 27-year-old Holly Lynn Dougher on Monday.

Dougher was initially charged with arson but ended up pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts related to the fire in Carbondale Township, Lackawanna County. She denied setting the fire as she pleaded guilty to charges including endangerment.

The petition cites a confession by alleged arsonist Stephen Giacobbe in a June 18 story in The Times-Tribune.

The newspaper story says prosecutors still believe there’s credible evidence Dougher was involved.

Dougher was sentenced to time-served and remains on probation.