Pocono News Section

Wayne County Murder/Arson Suspect Appears in Court

Wayne County Murder/Arson Suspect Appears in Court - Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 04:02AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday May 04 2010
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HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY - The Wayne County woman who's accused of torching her own home, killing her boyfriend, made her first official court appearance Tuesday afternoon.

Susan Bates appeared at the Wayne County courthouse for a bail hearing on the murder charges against her.

After the short hearing, Bates was sent back to prison. She was denied bail. Inside the courtroom, Bates said nothing. She stood quietly in a prison jumpsuit and kept her head held low.

As Bates was led into the courthouse, she had obvious injuries. She had a bandage on her arm and cuts on her nose.

The 45-year-old is accused of torching a home in Texas Township Saturday where she lived.

Her boyfriend, Timothy Wood, a well-known newspaper pressman was killed.

Because Bates is facing both homicide and arson charges, she could be eligible to face the death penalty.

"At this point, there's been no determination made with respect to whether or not this will be a capital case," District Attorney Michael Lehutsky said. "That's not the type of decision to make lightly or in the early stages of any matter."

Even though Tuesday's hearing was just a bail hearing, Bates already had an attorney appointed for her. That attorney met with Bates before the hearing and the attorney said her client appeared to be "lucid and understanding."

Her attorney also indicated that Bates will enter a not guilty plea. In court, we also learned Susan Bates is no stranger to the law. She has had at least one prior arrest in the past.

"Obviously, everyone is presumed innocent until they're proven guilty by trial or as a result of a plea," Lehutsky said.

Prosecutors say Bates set three different fires at her home on Saturday. The third fire was the one that was deadly. Court papers indicate Bates may have been upset at Tim Wood because he called his ex-wife on the telephone.