A woman who allegedly confessed to killing her longtime companion, whose body was found in a Woodland Hills home that had been set on fire, pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder and arson charges.
Darlene Denise Carlisle, 57, is charged in the June 29 death of Jack Richard Rodarte. The 58-year-old victim died of the combined effects of multiple stab wounds and smoke inhalation, according to the county coroner’s office.
Carlisle approached officers and allegedly told them she had set the fire at the one-story home in the 23200 block of West Victory Boulevard ablaze and killed the victim, with whom she was in a long-term relationship. She was taken into custody at the scene, and a knife was booked as evidence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
After extinguishing the fire, which was reported just before 2:30 p.m., firefighters found the victim — “with a severe injury to his throat” and notified police, the LAPD reported.
Carlisle — who is jailed in lieu of $2 million bail — was charged July 2 with one count each of murder and arson causing great bodily injury.
She is due back in a Van Nuys courtroom Aug. 19. A date is scheduled to be set then for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to allow the case against her to proceed to trial.
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