Disabled spouse allegedly killed by arson for $1.1M in insurance proceeds

[RB TexLa]

By WENDY HUNDLEY / The Dallas Morning News

The trial of a former Little Elm woman accused of setting a fire that killed her disabled husband so she could collect more than $1 million in insurance money was expected to resume Wednesday morning.

Rhonda Orr is accused of first-degree felony arson in the May 14, 2003, death of James Orr.

"She started three fires in his bedroom to kill him for his money," Denton County Assistant District Attorney Cary Piel told the jury in opening remarks Tuesday before Denton County District Court Judge Bruce McFarling.

Mr. Piel said Ms. Orr, 34, stood to receive a total of $1.1 million in life and homeowner insurance policies after the death of her husband. "That was too much for her to let go of, so she killed him," Mr. Piel said.

Mr. Orr, who used a wheelchair because of a childhood injury, was 32 at the time of his death.

Defense attorney Robert Jones raised questions about the credibility of experts who investigated the fire and told the jury that they will hear conflicting testimony about how the fire started in Mr. Orr's bedroom.

"Insurance investigators will tell you they can't establish arson," Mr. Jones said in his opening remarks




http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/032708dnmetorr.25d33.html

[acmavm]

1. Okay, let's hear some testimony here. This is a Texas court and

'expert' testimony in Texas trials is oft-times shakey at best.

Not saying that she didn't do it, but this is an insurance company that might have to pay out some big bucks here. Gotta see what the evidence is first.