Keene, NH -- New charges have been filed against the mother accused of setting the fire that killed her 8-year-old son and the neighbor who tried to save him.
Michelle Wessling, 35, originally was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her son, Kalen. But a grand jury upgraded the charge to first-degree murder because the boy died in a fire authorities say was arson.
Wessling need not be charged with arson for the accusation of arson to be a factor in a first-degree murder charge, said Senior Assistant Attorney General Charles Putnam.
A manslaughter charge was added for Wessling's role in causing the death of Michael Stoddard, 35, a neighbor who tried to rescue the boy.Richard Guerriero, Wessling's lawyer, has said the deaths were accidental.
Wessling is accused of setting fire to her family's home while distraught over her marital problems and after a drinking bout.
Stoddard rescued Wessling's 5-month-old son, Nathan, but was overcome when he tried to get Kalen out of the house. Officials say he died of a heart attack.
Michelle Wessling, 35, originally was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her son, Kalen. But a grand jury upgraded the charge to first-degree murder because the boy died in a fire authorities say was arson.
Wessling need not be charged with arson for the accusation of arson to be a factor in a first-degree murder charge, said Senior Assistant Attorney General Charles Putnam.
A manslaughter charge was added for Wessling's role in causing the death of Michael Stoddard, 35, a neighbor who tried to rescue the boy.Richard Guerriero, Wessling's lawyer, has said the deaths were accidental.
Wessling is accused of setting fire to her family's home while distraught over her marital problems and after a drinking bout.
Stoddard rescued Wessling's 5-month-old son, Nathan, but was overcome when he tried to get Kalen out of the house. Officials say he died of a heart attack.
Keene, NH -- New charges have been filed against the mother accused of setting the fire that killed her 8-year-old son and the neighbor who tried to save him.
Michelle Wessling, 35, originally was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her son, Kalen. But a grand jury upgraded the charge to first-degree murder because the boy died in a fire authorities say was arson.
Wessling need not be charged with arson for the accusation of arson to be a factor in a first-degree murder charge, said Senior Assistant Attorney General Charles Putnam.
A manslaughter charge was added for Wessling's role in causing the death of Michael Stoddard, 35, a neighbor who tried to rescue the boy.Richard Guerriero, Wessling's lawyer, has said the deaths were accidental.
Wessling is accused of setting fire to her family's home while distraught over her marital problems and after a drinking bout.
Stoddard rescued Wessling's 5-month-old son, Nathan, but was overcome when he tried to get Kalen out of the house. Officials say he died of a heart attack.
Michelle Wessling, 35, originally was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her son, Kalen. But a grand jury upgraded the charge to first-degree murder because the boy died in a fire authorities say was arson.
Wessling need not be charged with arson for the accusation of arson to be a factor in a first-degree murder charge, said Senior Assistant Attorney General Charles Putnam.
A manslaughter charge was added for Wessling's role in causing the death of Michael Stoddard, 35, a neighbor who tried to rescue the boy.Richard Guerriero, Wessling's lawyer, has said the deaths were accidental.
Wessling is accused of setting fire to her family's home while distraught over her marital problems and after a drinking bout.
Stoddard rescued Wessling's 5-month-old son, Nathan, but was overcome when he tried to get Kalen out of the house. Officials say he died of a heart attack.
Bio by: Nancy (Mayo) Bishop
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
