Not Guilty – that’s the plea of 52 year old Julia Harper – the women accused of arson in the fire that injured Fresno Fire Captain Pete Dern.
During the arraignment – Harper’s public defender Mark Asami also excused himself from the case and handed it over to lawyer Mark Siegal who made initial contact with his client in the court.
Harper is charged with felony arson causing great bodily injury; and arson of an inhabited structure.
If convicted she could face up to 9 years behind bars.
The judge did grant a request to lower her bail from $200,000 down to $100,000.
Her next appearance in court will be at 8:30 on May 11th for the pre-preliminary hearing.
