Sentence delayed in PR arson case
Published Monday, March 24, 2008
It will be a while longer before Dellrae Mashek learns her fate for burning a Pelican Rapids dollar store that she owned.
Mashek, found guilty in February of two counts of arson for starting a fire at the store in 2006, was to have been sentenced today. However, a hearing requesting a new trial and a request to have her attorney present for a pre-sentence investigation, was to have taken place this morning instead. Neither event took place, as Judge Barbara Hanson, who is presiding over the case, was ill. No new date has been set.
Although Mashek was not sentenced, Minnesota sentencing guidelines call for presumptive commitment to prison, for a length to be determined by the judge, Assistant Otter Tail County Attorney Michelle Eldien said.
Mashek, 52, Pelican Rapids, was charged with two felony counts of first degree arson for the fire that destroyed the Pelican Dollar Store. Count one stated Mashek intentionally destroyed or damaged by fire a building used as a dwelling. Count two indicated she intentionally destroyed the building knowing there was the possibility of another person in the building.
After about eight days of testimony in trial, it took a jury 3.5 hours to return its decision.
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