Toledo man arraigned in arson that killed 4

12/4/2006
BLADE STAFF

A Toledo man charged in the Nov. 11 North Toledo arson fire that claimed the lives of two children and two adults was arraigned today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on aggravated murder charges.

Wayne Powell, 41, entered not guilty pleas to aggravated murder charges in the deaths of his ex-girlfriend, Mary Rose McCollum; her mother, Rose Mary ``Rosie McCollum; her 4-year-old son, Jamal McCollum, and her 3-year-old niece, Sanaa Thomas.

An 11-count indictment handed up last month by the grand jury includes multiple death-penalty specifications for each of the deaths. He also is charged with aggravated arson.

Judge Gary Cook ordered Powell held in the county jail in lieu of $1.1 million bond. A pre-trial hearing in the case was scheduled for Dec. 19.

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