Trial has been postponed in the arson case against Charles Smalls, as his attorney recovers from an illness and the new Commonwealth Attorney takes time to prepare.
Smalls appeared in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning with his attorney, Stephanie Ritchie-Mize, who appeared virtually. Mize requested a pretrial hearing be set for April to give both her and Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen more time to prepare for trial.
Judge John Atkins set a pretrial hearing for April 12 with the hope of setting a new trial date at that time.
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.
He is charged with first-degree arson and first-degree assault.