Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The former Centralia apartment manager who admitted setting a fire at a building in the complex where she lived and worked has been given a 21-month sentence in prison.

Both prosecuting and defense attorneys recommended 44-year-old Kathrin L. Turner be given the low end of the standard sentencing range.

Turner pleaded guilty last month in Lewis County Superior Court to one count of first-degree arson.

Centralia police investigated after two small fires were set on two consecutive mornings at the 1100 block of Scammon Creek Road. Turner told responders she used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames that damaged an approximately 15 square foot area of exterior siding on Nov. 3.

Days later she cut her own throat and wrists and was hospitalized for more than a month, according to authorities.

Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said they suggested only 21 months to the judge because Turner had no previous criminal history and because she clearly was not intending to burn the building down.

She was trying to scare a tenant into moving out because she wanted to rent the unit to a friend, he said.

Judge Andrew Toynbee on Wednesday agreed with the recommended sentence.
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For background, read “News brief: Centralia apartment arson suspect enters guilty plea” from Wednesday April 5, 2017, here

Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter

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