Two charged in fire death

Larry Kline

Havre Daily News

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A man and a woman have been charged with first degree murder in connection to the death of Angel Lynn Denny, a 15-year-old Hays-Lodge Pole junior who died in a house fire April 9, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek said today.

Kenneth John Arcand, 21 of Chinook and Bobbie Jo Wing, 25, of Dodson each appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Holter Tuesday in Great Falls and pleaded not guilty, a U.S. Attorney's Office press release said. They have both been released from custody, and a pretrial conference has been set for July 7, the press release said.

Authorities are alleging that Arcand and Wing set fire to a house on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, where Denny's body was found in a bedroom. An autopsy determined that Denny died of smoke inhalation.

"The allegation is that this was an arson," Suek said. She said she could not disclose how investigators came to that conclusion.

FBI spokesmen did not immediately return calls today seeking comment.

If convicted, Arcand and Wing each face a manditory life prison sentence and $250,000 in fines, the press release said.

Suek said Arcand and Wing were released in accordance with the Bail Reform Act. People who are accused of such crimes but do not pose a flight risk or danger to the community are released, she said.