Local woman appeals federal arson conviction

YOUNGSTOWN — A woman convicted in federal court earlier this month for setting fire to a South Side rental property in October for the insurance money has asked a judge to reverse her conviction.

Attorneys for Latasha Curtis, 33, asked Judge Benita Y. Pearson of the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio to set aside her guilty verdicts and render a judgment of acquittal.

A federal grand jury convicted Curtis on Aug. 7 of one count of use of fire to commit a felony; one count of malicious damaging or destroying to do so, of any building or real property used in interstate commerce by means of fire; and conspiracy to violate those offenses.

Curtis was convicted of setting a fire to a 75 Hilton Ave. rental property on Oct. 19, 2013, after a four-day trial.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com