Woman charged with murder in husband's fire death

<p>A woman has been charged with murder in the death of her husband, who died in a house fire last month.</p><p>Teresa Kohnle, 34, was charged Monday with felony murder and first-degree arson in the death of James Kohnle, 57, Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers said.</p><p>Investigators found that the June 29 was an arson fire because a flammable substance was used to start it, Summers said.</p><p>"We also had statements of conflict (from Teresa Kohnle)," Summers said. "We got enough circumstantial evidence and statements to get the wife for arson and felony murder."</p><p>He said Teresa Kohnle had been seen leaving the house "a short period" before the fire began.</p><p>Firefighters found James Kohnle's body in the back bedroom of the couple's house around 9:30 a.m. on June 29. Kohnle died of smoke inhalation, Summers said.</p><p>Summers said the only motive authorities have at this point is a financial motive.</p><p>"I do know there were some financial problems," Summers said. "(James Kohnle) had been ill and unable to work and they were in financial distress at the time the fire occurred."</p><p>There was an insurance policy on the home and James Kohnle had a life insurance policy, Summers said. He did not know if the couple had a history of domestic problems.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x2de9b2c)</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/7/94936