Sentencing postponed in arson case

Published 9:05 am Wednesday, August 19, 2020

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The sentencing hearing for a Clark County man charged with arson was postponed until the amount of restitution can be settled.

Timmy Isaacs, 47, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of third-degree arson for setting a fire in December 2017 that damaged two homes. The agreement calls for Isaacs to serve three years and pay restitution.

Isaacs was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in Clark Circuit Court, but was continued until Sept. 10 so the attorneys can resolve the matter of restitution.

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Isaacs’ attorney, Braxton Crenshaw, said the question involves the amount of personal property damaged in the fire. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Heidi Engel said the medical expenses were documented and agreed upon.

Engel said the victim lives outside of Kentucky now, and there is no documentation for the personal items.

Judge William Engle rescheduled the sentencing hearing and a restitution hearing for Sept. 11 in Clark Circuit Court.

Isaacs was charged with setting a fire at the front door of a mobile home on Kiwi Drive, where he had lived for several weeks with the resident, Bonnie Spencer. She said she had previously kicked Isaacs out of her home and did not know he had been there. She said they often argued over the use of her pickup truck.

Firefighters were called to her home around 9:17 a.m. Dec. 17, 2017. Spencer and her dog were still inside the home at the time, and were rescued by firefighters.

Witnesses said they saw Isaacs leave with the truck around 8:50 a.m. that day and return while firefighters were still on the scene.

Winchester Police detectives found a partially-filled gasoline can in the truck bed, and an accelerant-detecting K9 alerted to the presence of an accelerant on Isaacs’ pants, shoes and the driver seat of the truck. The K9 also alerted at several spots between the front door of the home and the driveway.

Arson investigators said it appeared the fire started around the front door of the home.

The fire also caused significant damage to a neighboring home on Kiwi Drive.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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