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SAT., AUG 29, 2009 - 7:39 PM
Woman convicted in Richland Center fire
State Journal staff

The woman accused of setting a fire that destroyed three businesses and four apartments in downtown Richland Center was found guilty Friday after a three-day trial in Richland County Circuit Court.

Joen M. Fazel, 61, who lived in an apartment of the destroyed building, was charged in April with seven counts of arson and eight counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety.

She was found guilty of all 15 counts in a deliberation that lasted less than two hours, said Stacy Kleist, Richland County Clerk of Court.

A criminal complaint listed residents, firefighters and a police officer as victims of the reckless endangerment charges.

Damage has been estimated at more than $750,000 from the March 31 fire, which destroyed the Music Shop, Frame Corner and Palace Barber Shop, along with four apartments above the businesses.

A nearby bank and furniture store both had smoke damage.

Investigators said the March 31 fire was intentionally set and was started in Fazel’s bedroom.

Fazel, who according to family members struggled with depression and hadn’t worked in years, was arrested April 1 without incident at a motel where she and others affected by the blaze were being put up by the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.


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