Seattle tech worker pleads not guilty in deadly arson case

A Seattle tech worker accused of setting fire to a woman’s home and burning her to death has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and second-degree arson.

Letian Shi, 25, is accused of starting two fires in the Wallingford neighborhood on Monday, according to KOMO News. 

Investigators said one of those fires torched the home of 72-year-old Susan Klee. Firefighters pulled Klee from the burning residence, but she died two days later from oxygen deprivation.

Shi is currently being held on $4 million bail.

Seattle man pleads not guilty in fatal arson that killed woman

According to prosecutors, investigators linked Shi to the fires using surveillance footage and a receipt from Dick’s Drive-In. 

Law enforcement says the footage shows a person similar to Shi carrying a dark canister near the scene. Authorities also claim Shi’s physical features in the video match the suspect.

During a search of Shi’s home, police say they found multiple canisters of starter fluid. Prosecutors also noted that Shi lives within walking distance of the fire scene.

Shi’s defense team questioned the strength of the evidence, arguing the case was forced prematurely, pointing out that surveillance footage is unclear and that cell phone data suggests Shi’s device was at home during the fire.

Roughly 50 people attended the court hearing in support of Shi. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 21.