Woman convicted of arson in ‘Jerry Springer case’

Criminal Court Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz will sentence Sarah Martin after a background report is prepared by May 28.

The trial included testimony from a Knoxville Fire Department captain that he engaged in a sexually heated telephone conversation with Martin. Capt. Doug Conard said he was trying to “turn her on” to get her to confess to the crimes.

Conard testified that Martin’s motive appeared to be that she was sexually aroused by starting fires.

Martin claimed an October 2001 fire at her ex-stepfather’s house was started by a former boyfriend, Jason Howard Copley.

“They were our prime suspects,” Conard said.

Conard admitted to being suspended for a day during the investigation because of his conversation with Martin. The tape of their conversation was not played Tuesday for jurors.

Copley, who has pleaded guilty to arson, testified Monday against Martin. He said the arson was her idea and detailed how they’d broken into the home of Ricky Meredith and burned it.

“These two liked to set fires,” said law student Jim Busch, who prosecuted the case along with Knox County Assistant District Attorney General Kevin Allen. “This was like their romantic Fourth of July.”

Testimony also linked Martin and Copley to a string of arsons that destroyed or damaged at least 18 houses near downtown Knoxville around the same time as the Meredith fire.