Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412230163
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER NOTE: above
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
An empty lot on Patton Avenue Northwest is the only reminder of the fire 12 years ago that killed Kathleen Turner.
Jermaine Anderson, a 7-year-old who was diagnosed as mildly mentally retarded, was believed to have set that fire, which spread from an abandoned house to the 66-year-old woman's home.
He became the youngest person in the state ever charged with murder. But the charge never was prosecuted. Instead, a judge recommended that the boy get instruction in the dangers of fire.
Wednesday night, across the street from the site of the 1982 fire, another fire almost killed Anderson's family and trapped an invalid uncle in an upstairs bedroom.
Anderson, 19, was charged with four counts of attempted capital murder and one count of arson - another chapter in the tragic story of a handicapped and emotionally disturbed youth that began in the summer of 1982.
The 7-year-old who set the fire that killed Turner wasn't identified at the time. But fire investigators confirmed Thursday that it was Anderson who was charged with arson and second-degree murder in that fire, which he admitted setting in an abandoned house on the 400 block of Patton Avenue.
The case captured national attention because of Anderson's age.
He told police he never meant to hurt anyone. But the flames spread to a neighboring house at 412 Patton Ave. where Turner; her daughter, Michelle Hurt; and her 8-year-old granddaughter, Malaika Hurt, were sleeping.
Turner died when she was overcome by smoke while trying to escape. Malaika Hurt sustained severe injuries from smoke inhalation. Michelle Hurt jumped from a second-floor window to safety.
Fire investigators said Anderson apparently had become intrigued with fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration and had hidden a cigarette lighter to play with.
Anderson never was tried on the murder charge. A juvenile court judge ruled that he was too immature to help in his defense and did not understand what he was charged with doing. Ultimately, the court recommended he get instruction on the dangers of fire.
Thursday, lawyers involved in the case couldn't remember what happened afterward.
Throughout the ordeal, Anderson's grandmother, Jean Mack, stood by his side, saying he was not a "vicious boy." Wednesday night, Mack was the person who called police for help. According to police, the teen-ager was upset with his grandmother for an unknown reason.
Anderson is suspected of taking a piece of paper, lighting it on the kitchen stove and running upstairs before his grandmother could stop him, said Assistant Fire Marshal David Deck. The fire began at or near an upstairs closet.
Police said they found Anderson standing in the upstairs hallway with a 12-inch knife, which he threw at them, nearly hitting a lieutenant. He was handcuffed as flames engulfed the ceiling and part of the hall.
Anderson then lay on the floor as officers dragged him from the house, police said.
Firefighters had to revive Anderson's uncle, who was treated for smoke inhalation. Anderson's grandmother and 11-year-old niece, who is disabled, got out of the home safely.
Thursday afternoon, Anderson appeared dazed and disoriented as he was led in handcuffs to be arraigned in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
He spoke only once - to ask if he could be released on bond - and shook his head when Judge John Ferguson read the charges.
No bond was set. A public defender was appointed to represent him, and the judge suggested that Anderson talk to his lawyer about seeking bond.
At a separate arraignment in General District Court, Judge William Broadhurst ordered an evaluation to determine whether Anderson is competent to stand trial.
Anderson was arraigned in both courts because two of the four attempted murder charges against him involve his grandmother and niece. The other two charges involve his uncle and the police officer who dodged the knife. Preliminary hearings will be held next month.
Thursday, fire investigators said the home was safe enough for its residents to return.
An upstairs bedroom window at Anderson's home had been boarded up. A pile of clothes sat on the front lawn. And a woman who said she lived at the home methodically mopped the porch and said she had no comment.
by CNB