Man pleads guilty in fire that killed his mother, sister

Saginaw – A man who authorities say set a fire in Michigan that killed his mother and sister has pleaded guilty in the case.

The Saginaw News reports 39-year-old Jason Desmone entered pleas Tuesday in a Saginaw County courtroom to two counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson. In exchange, first-degree murder charges are being dismissed. A sentencing date wasn’t immediately set.

Desmone told the court he lit curtains on fire and fled. He told at least one person that no one else was in the home. The Feb. 12, 2018, fire in Saginaw killed 71-year-old Adair Smithpeters and 41-year-old Melissa Shook.

Saginaw is located about 85 miles northwest of Detroit. The home had been condemned shortly before the fire.