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Police: Woman set fire to ex’s kitchen

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 2 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | October 2, 2020 1:00 AM

A woman is in jail after she allegedly set fire to her ex-girlfriend’s kitchen.

Jamie L. Morley, 43, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with first-degree arson, a felony, and unlawful possession of a prescription drug, a misdemeanor.

Police responded Sept. 29 to a Coeur d’Alene home where a resident said she woke around 5 a.m. to a fire in her kitchen sink, which had spread to the window blinds.

The resident told police she believed Morley, who she identified as her ex-girlfriend, had set the fire. She said the pair were breaking up and had argued the night before.

Both the resident and Morley were at the scene when police arrived.

Police reportedly found two burned wire storage baskets in the kitchen sink. The blinds above the sink were also damaged.

Coeur d’Alene fire investigators who responded to the scene reported that there was no evidence the fire had started on its own, according to court records. The gas stove was reportedly turned on and actively letting out gas.

Morley allegedly told police she “must have” started the fire, but she did not remember doing so. She reportedly said she took a sleeping pill the night before, according to court records.

Police arrested Morley at the scene. Upon searching her person, police reportedly found five loose pills that were identified as prescription medication. Morley allegedly told police the pills were not prescribed to her.

A judge ordered that she be held on $25,000 bail.

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