Durham woman charged with arson in apartment fire investigation; Prosecutors say 'kill list' found

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- No bond was granted Monday for 31yearold Mahogany Massey, who appeared before a Durham County judge for the first time following Sunday's apartment fire at University Ridge.

ABC11 was inside the courtroom as Massey faced several charges, including first-degree arson, after investigators said she intentionally set the blaze that injured multiple people including three Durham firefighters, her mother and her brother.

Other charges include three counts of arson and three counts of assault with serious bodily injury.

Court documents state Massey's mother remains hospitalized with severe smoke inhalation. Prosecutors said Massey's brother rushed back into the burning building to save her, and that an exploding glass fixture severed an artery in his arm, nearly causing him to bleed out.

The hearing was briefly halted after Massey repeatedly interrupted the proceedings. The judge ultimately ordered the appearance to continue without her.

Massey's defense attorney argued she has lived in Durham her entire life and needs mental health treatment rather than incarceration. Of her three prior convictions, none were considered violent.

Prosecutors countered that investigators found what they described as a "people to kill list" among her belongings and said she attempted to start a fire at the same apartment complex a week earlier.

The judge called Massey a danger to the community and noted she appears to be struggling with mental health issues.

She will remain in the Durham County Detention Center with no bond.

Download the ABC11 App for breaking news and weather alerts