The 20-year-old Lawrence man charged with setting the fire at the Boardwalk Apartments that killed three people today waived his right to a speedy trial.
Jason Rose briefly appeared this morning in Douglas County District Court, where his attorney entered a "not guilty" plea to all 12 charges stemming from the October fire.
A trial date was set for Sept. 18. It's expected to last two weeks.
The defense asked the judge to lower Rose's bond from $500,000 to $50,000, saying members of Rose's church have volunteered to take him in their homes, if he was released from jail.
The judge denied that request due to the serious nature of the charges.
At last month's preliminary hearing, Douglas County District Court Judge Jack Murphy found there was enough evidence to try Rose on three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated arson and eight counts of aggravated battery.
Boardwalk Apartments Fire
More on the Boardwalk Apartments Fire
- Videos:
- 6News video: 'Boardwalk Fire Trial' set to begin (02-01-07)
- 6News video: Confession in Boardwalk fire case under question (09-19-06)
- 6News video: Fire victims struggling with medical bills (08-09-06)
- 6News video: Fire victim shares story of survival (11-27-05)
- Stories:
- Judge allows confession in murder, arson case (02-02-07)
- Arson suspect wants statement off record (09-20-06)
- Boardwalk fire victims see some money from state (08-10-06)
- Time barely starting to heal wounds (02-27-06)
- Agent: Design helped fire's spread (02-24-06)
- Deputies honored for bravery (01-25-06)
- More:
- Photo Gallery: Jason Allen Rose
- Photo Gallery: After the fire at Boardwalk Apartments
- Photo Gallery: Fire at Boardwalk Apartments
- More in 2005 Boardwalk Fire »
Comments
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Confrontation (anonymous) says…
Members of his church need their heads examined. If you truly valued your home and life/children, would you bring in an arsonist?
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
I'm guessing that his church buddies are just trying to keep him from having to stay behind bars while awaiting trial.
He is a total flight risk. He has little/no family and no real prospects of avoiding major jail time. I'd leave him in jail if I were the judge.
LovelyAngel315 (anonymous) says…
You must not know him if you think he's a flight risk. He has no money, no where to go, and no way to get there.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
Yeah, a murderer would never try to leave town. What were we thinking? Surely, he wants to stay here, get convicted, and hang out in prison for the rest of his life.
cms (anonymous) says…
I would take this young man into my home in a minute. He made an error in judgement that ended tragically, very tragically. I hope he has a chance to make up for his action, lead a healthy life and eventually give back to his community.
dozer (anonymous) says…
riiiight. made a mistake. Oops, I started a fire, oops, the whole apartment complex is on fire. Possessions lost, lives lost, families destroyed. Give me a break, made a mistake?
smitty (anonymous) says…
A difference between the way a church family experiences a young man's errors and the way the those hurt by the fire experiences them. There's room for that difference in understanding.
Keep an eye out for why Rose burnt the box of photos so far away from his apartment.
Could it explain the so called unrelated call for DV just 20 minutes prior to the fire? The LPD testified the call is unrelated. We haven't been shown the data yet. And the LPD has never(sic) covered up or perjuried in any of their actions in prior cases so we must not even question.
There is a gag order on this case but not on the unrelated DV call. Guess the JW could check that out if they were so inclined. That is if they don't have to sue the LPD for the information.