Suspected Willits arsonist pleads not guilty

The woman, 31, suspected in the Friday fire, sits in jail facing attempted murder, aggravated assault charges.|
GLENDA ANDERSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A Willits woman suspected of setting fire to her apartment, then barricading herself inside the bar downstairs as the fire raged pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday to arson of an inhabited dwelling and aggravated assault, according to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office.

The bail for Lacee Ross, 31, was set at $125,000, the District Attorney’s Office reported.

Ross reportedly was upset about being evicted from her apartment above the bar, John’s Place.

The Friday fire gutted the bar and damaged a market and preschool in downtown Willits.

Willits police officials have released little about the incident and said Tuesday they had no further information.

Editor’s note: Lacee Ross pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of arson of an inhabited dwelling and aggravated assault. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that she was charged with attempted murder.

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