Woman pleads guilty to arson

COEUR d’ALENE — A woman accused of setting fire to her ex’s kitchen has pleaded guilty.

Jamie L. Morley, 43, of Coeur d’Alene, pleaded guilty in accordance with Alford to first-degree arson.

By entering an Alford plea, Morley does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence that she might be convicted if the case went to trial.

Morley was initially charged with first-degree attempted murder in addition to arson. The state reportedly amended the charges as part of a plea agreement.

Police responded Sept. 29, 2020, to a Coeur d’Alene home where a resident said she woke around 5 a.m. to a fire in her kitchen sink.

The resident told police she believed Morley, her ex-girlfriend, had set the fire. She said the couple was breaking up and had argued the night before.

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

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

Fire investigators determined there was no evidence the fire started on its own, according to court documents. The gas stove was reportedly turned on and letting out gas.

Coeur d’Alene Fire Inspector Bobby Gonder said in court that, in an enclosed space where a fire was burning, the gas would eventually fill the space, ignite and cause an “extreme” explosion.

Morley allegedly told police that she “must have” started the fire, but she said she didn’t remember doing so.

Police arrested Morley at the scene.

Morley is scheduled to be sentenced June 3, before Judge Cynthia Meyer.