Friday, September 21, 2012
STRUTHERS — A woman who police say tried to burn her house down with her family in it was arraigned on attempted murder and aggravated-arson charges.
Margaret Jackintell, 50, appeared Friday in Struthers Municipal Court. She was given a total of $300,000 bond on the two charges, which she did not post, the court said. She is in Mahoning County jail.
According to a police report, Jackintell admitted she set the family’s house at 376 Como St. on fire at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Her husband was able to put the fire out himself, the report states, so the family did not report it.
Jackintell, who at first denied setting the fire, told her husband Thursday she set it, the report says.
Jackintell’s 21-year-old daughter called the police.
Also in the house at the time of the fire was Jackintell’s mother-in-law, whose screams awoke the family after she opened her bedroom door and saw two separate fires blocking the hallway.
The family members were trapped in their bedrooms by high flames. Jackintell’s husband ran through the fire and put it out with water from the kitchen, the report says.
The family told police Jackintell indicated she intended to kill them because she cost them a large hospital bill, which she believes will cause them to lose their home.
For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com