Teen charged in mom’s arson death in court
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – A judge has set a tentative trial date for a 15-year-old boy charged in adult court with the arson death of his mother, though the teen’s defense attorney has left open the possibility of a plea deal.
Shelby County Criminal Court Judge James Lammey reserved Aug. 18 as a trial date for Jonathan Ray during the teen’s court appearance Thursday. Ray was indicted in October on charges of first-degree murder and first-degree murder while committing aggravated arson in the death of his mom, 45-year-old Gwendolyn Wallace.
Ray was 14 when Wallace died in an April 5 house fire. He was arrested and charged as a juvenile before his case was transferred to adult court in June.
His attorney, Robert Gowen, says it’s possible the case will be settled before trial.
