Accused arsonist maintains not guilty plea

WALLACE — Wednesday was law day at the Shoshone County Courthouse, where Judge Barbara Duggan heard a number of cases including that of Jamie L. Jones.

Jones, 45, was expected to enter a change of plea during her proceedings, but according to Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine, she changed her mind and maintained her not guilty plea.

Jones was charged with first degree arson in October 2021 after a horrific series of events led to her arrest.

The arson charges stem from an event on Aug. 31, 2021, when the home of Richard Elbert Rogers Jr. was burned to the ground while he was incarcerated.

Rogers Jr. had been arrested by Idaho State Police just days prior for his involvement in an alcohol-fueled hit and run incident in the remote area of Calder that caused the death of a resident. Following the hit and run, Rogers fled the scene and headed down St. Joe River Road before he was arrested by deputies from the Benewah County Sheriff’s Office.

Based on information gathered that included scene analysis by the Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office and eyewitness testimony, an arrest warrant was issued and Jones was subsequently taken into custody.

Following her arrest, Jones admitted to Shoshone County Sheriff’s Deputies that she did indeed start the blaze that destroyed the home, according to SCSO Cap. Jeff Lee.

While it has been heavily speculated that the fire was started as retaliation to the hit and run incident, that has yet to be proven. As a result of maintaining her current plea status, Jones is set for a jury trial in April of this year, and if convicted could face up to 25 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

Rogers has also pled not guilty to both vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident, both felonies, and is scheduled for a jury trial in March. If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines for leaving the scene of an accident and 15 years in prison and $15,000 in fines for vehicular manslaughter.

CORRECTION – In the original story it read, "If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines for the vehicular manslaughter charge." That has since been updated and the penalty for vehicular manslaughter is a maximum of 15 years in prison and $15,000 in fines.