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Man to be Charged With Battle Creek Arson Murder of 8-Year-Old

Posted at 2:24 PM, Jul 16, 2013
and last updated 2013-07-17 15:38:39-04

karrina johnson 2BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Jesse Tatum could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of a felony murder charge for a November 2012 arson that killed an 8-year-old girl.

Tatum, 25, is accused of allegedly setting a fire on Young Street in Battle Creek after an argument with Janeen Johnson, the mother of 8-year-old Karrina Johnson.

Two other children were in the house during the fire, but they managed to escape by jumping out the second story window.  Tatum was a person of interest since the crime occurred.  Another man, 27-year-old Michael Roberson, was also arrested Tuesday and charged with being an accessory after the fact for allegedly transporting him to and from the Johnson’s house.