Arson suspect in Highland Lakes fire waives preliminary hearing
Mackenzie Bodell, The Gazette
A woman accused of sparking the Highland Lakes fire in Teller County last year waived her preliminary hearing Friday, blocking prosecutors from revealing additional details of the alleged crime.
Lowa Tillitt, 77, also referred to as Lacey Tillitt in public records, was arrested Jan. 16 after allegedly starting the fire that burned 166 acres northwest of Divide on Oct. 28. More than 700 households were evacuated, law enforcement has said.
Tillitt faces one count of felony arson after allegedly endangering more than $1 million in property.
Preliminary hearings — also referred to as “mini trials” by the Department of Justice — allow the prosecutor to introduce evidence not previously seen by the public to encourage the judge to bind over charges for trial. Defendants can waive their preliminary hearing and proceed to trial, which Tillitt chose to do Friday.
Court documents shed light on Highland Lakes fire investigation
According to an arrest affidavit previously obtained by The Gazette, Tillitt allegedly told investigators she had been burning cardboard boxes inside her house in her wood-burning stove at 13 Beaver Lake Circle. When she opened the oven to burn more material, the flames escaped, lighting the couch on fire.
The last time Tillitt was in a Teller County courthouse, she was ruled competent to proceed to trial by Judge William Moller after her defense counsel raised the issue early on in proceedings.
Teller County fire suspect competent to face trial, judge rules
Tillitt appeared for Friday’s hearing via WebEx from the Teller County Jail, where she remains on a $50,000 bond for the arson case. In addition, Tillitt has two open felony cases in which she faces charges related to assault on a peace officer while in custody, court records show. Both cases come with an additional $10,000 bond.
Tillitt’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 13, when she is expected to enter a plea. Her defense counsel informed the court that they will likely file a motion for bond reconsideration ahead of that hearing.
