Black Firebug Convicted of Apartment Fire That Killed White Man

STL Today
August 22, 2015

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Mary Mansfield looks at the remains of the house in which her son died, burned to death by a Negro.

A man was convicted on Monday in connection with an arson fire at a Hazelwood apartment that killed a man who lived there.

Jeremy Henderson, 23, was found guilty on counts of felony murder and first-degree arson. His trial started last week. A previous trial had ended in a mistrial.

Henderson was accused in the death of 48-year-old Mike Mansfield, who was found dead in his Hazelwood apartment building that was set on fire on Aug. 4, 2012.

The apartment building is at building at 5230 Villa Rosa Lane. Henderson told police he served as a lookout while others poured gasoline in the apartment building’s hallways and near the door of their intended victim. It’s not clue who the target was, but it wasn’t Mansfield, according to court documents.

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Jeremy Henderson did not explain why he did it.

Henderson told police he saw one of the other people light a match and set the gasoline-soaked carpet on fire. The court documents didn’t offer a motive. Police say they got a tip that Henderson was involved. The others have not been identified.

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