HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A 34-year-old Hutchinson woman arrested on a charge of aggravated arson early Friday morning has been formally charged by the state.
Ginny Griffith of 121 West 7th, Apt. A, was taken into custody after fire units were called to the duplex just after 1:30 a.m.
When they arrived, they found light smoke coming from one side of the duplex. Further investigation revealed that some clothes were smoldering inside the door. She stated in court that they were her clothes.
The fire was controlled in minutes. There was no damage to the structure, except for minor smoke damage.
The cause of the fire was ruled arson resulting in the arrest of Griffith.
She was jailed on a $7,500 bond and in court, Regional Public Defender Sarah Sweet-McKinnon asked that the bond be reduced because of her client having medical and mental issues. She says she wants her client free so she can take the medications she needs. District Judge Trish Rose granted the defense request and lowered the bond to $2,500. There was some question as to where she might live because of the fire, but the defendant stated that only her clothes were on fire and a little bit of the carpet. She had told officials she set the clothes on fire trying to kill a spider, but fire officials say there were several points of origin of where the fire was set.
Griffith does have another case pending for possession of drug paraphernalia. This new case will move to a waiver-status docket on July 22.