Woman indicted for apartment blaze that killed married couple
The Brooklyn woman who allegedly started a massive blaze that killed two people in Dyker Heights has been indicted on two counts of second-degree murder and two of first-degree arson.
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Joanna Mei, 22, was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty Monday to setting a fire in a trash can Nov. 9 in a first-floor staircase of the apartment building where she lived.
She appeared emotionless in Kings County Supreme Court and made no statement.
“The alleged actions of this defendant displayed a complete and callous disregard for human life, and caused two tragic but avoidable deaths,” said Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez “We will now seek justice for the victims and their loved ones for the heartbreaking loss that they suffered.”
Mei allegedly told police she lit the fire because she was angry that trash had been piling up in the hallways, sources said. The fire turned into an inferno that killed a couple on the third floor, Xi Huang, 58, and his wife, Feng Xu, 56.
Mei’s next court date is Feb. 6, 2018. She faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.