The man accused of setting fire to a mobile home with his wife inside remains in the Christian County Jail after a bond reduction was denied Wednesday morning in Christian Circuit Court.
Fifty-year old Charles Smalls of Oak Grove is alleged to have intentionally started a fire using lighter fluid in a home on Zackary Street in April following an argument with his wife. He allegedly exited the residence, leaving his wife behind inside, and she would sustain life-threatening injuries.
She continues to recover and Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling told Judge John Atkins she fears for her life if Smalls gets out on bond.
Defense attorney Stephanie Ritchie-Mize said Smalls would live with his sister in North Carolina, but Judge Atkins denied her motion.
Ritchie-Mize says there’s hope the case could be resolved before trial and another hearing was scheduled for January 5.