Man accused of lighting woman's house on fire while her children were inside to return to court
A man accused of setting fire to an Ypsilanti Township woman’s home in April will be back in court for a pretrial hearing later this month, according to court records.
Akil Alexander, 29, of Dearborn Heights, is accused of setting fire to a woman’s home while 2 of her children were inside after she broke off a relationship with him, according to police. Alexander was in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing at the Washtenaw County 14A-1 District Court and was bound over to Washtenaw County Trial Court, records show.
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to a home about 1:30 a.m. April 10 on Maplelawn Drive after receiving a report of a loud explosion and found that a small portion of the exterior of the home had been set on fire.
Akil Alexander
Ypsilanti Township firefighters put out the fire about 10 minutes after arriving at the home. Fire officials estimated the explosion and subsequent blaze caused thousands of dollars in damage. All the residents of the home were evacuated and no one was harmed.
If convicted of the charge of arson of a dwelling, Alexander faces up to 20 years in prison. He is being held at the Washtenaw County Jail on $50,000 cash or surety bond.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Iris
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 6:03 p.m.
We have to remember that the article says "accused" he could have but he could not have set the fire as well. One thing about our judicial system is you are innocent until proven guilty. It's difficult to convict this man based on the information this article gives. I pray for that woman and her family and him as well.
tomnspats
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:15 p.m.
We need to know the name of this judge.This is attempted murder whats with the bond ?
RJA
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
I recall this incident in April. If the accused is found guilty, 20 years in prison is not long enough. Repeating...I am so glad the woman and two of her chilfren were not injured.
YpsiLivin
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
I realize that this person has been in the WCJ since the incident, but why did the judge even grant bond in this case? This person is accused of trying to kill three people, (two of whom are small children), by setting a house on fire at 1:30 in the morning. Based on his alleged actions, he poses a SERIOUS danger not only to this community, but to ANY community.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
"after she broke off a relationship with him" Well clearly this was the correct course of action then. Good on her!