Suspect in Home Fire Pleads Not Guilty
A 38-year-old Oak Park man accused of setting fire to his own home pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of arson, brandishing a weapon and cruelty to animals.
In an arraignment, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Charles Campbell set a Dec. 12 trial date for Richard Rose on charges related to a Sept. 29 incident where, following an argument with his wife, he allegedly set his house ablaze and then brandished a knife at two neighbors who attempted to help, Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard E. Simon said.
Rose is also facing a charge of animal cruelty, because the two family dogs at the Pesto Way residence were trapped by the flames and died of smoke inhalation.
Rose himself fled the fire by jumping out of a second-story window, Simon said. He was arrested a short time later. Rose remained in Ventura County Jail.
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