Charles Smalls, the man charged with first-degree arson, will go to trial as planned Monday after rejecting plea offers from the Commonwealth in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday.
This comes after defense attorney Stephanie Ritchie-Mize informed the court that Smalls is facing a new charge of first-degree assault along with the arson charge, and both offenses carry a lengthy sentence that Smalls is unwilling to accept an offer on.
Circuit Judge John Atkins then continued proceedings to Monday, when they will go to trial, and waived arraign on the assault charge.
Smalls is alleged to have intentionally started a fire using lighter fluid in a home on Zackary Street in April of last year following an argument with his wife. He allegedly exited the residence, leaving his wife behind inside, and she would sustain life-threatening injuries.