Woman Confesses to Arson in Fatal Fire That Killed Blind Man Sleeping on Mattress

A Wisconsin woman was sentenced to 11 years in jail Friday for intentionally setting fire to a home, killing a blind man who was sleeping on a mattress inside.

Merchelle Adams, 63, pled guilty to second-degree reckless murder in July for the death of 60-year-old Anthony Winters, according to court records. After completing her prison sentence, she will be on probation for nine years.

On July 11, 2023, the Milwaukee Fire Department responded to a fire near 29th and Bobolink. When they arrived, firemen noticed flames rising from the second story. They cleared the basement and first floor but heard a guy subsequently identified as Winters yelling for assistance. However, the flames were so strong that firefighters couldn’t reach the man. According to local Fox affiliate WITI, prosecutors said the fire was so intense that a firefighter’s face mask melted.

Firefighters were unable to save Winters in time, and he was declared dead upon arrival.

According to CBS station WDJT, a witness told Milwaukee police that he was in his car when he noticed flames coming from the second story and Adams walking from the residence to some rocks across the street, where she sat.

When officers questioned her about the event, she reportedly replied, “I set the fire” and began giggling. She allegedly claimed there was a “blind man in there…that’s what he gets.” Adams was detained by police and questioned further.

Adams allegedly went on to imply that she started the fire because of his previous domestic abuse against her. According to the complaint, she told Winters that they were drinking beer when he asked her if she wanted to go get lunch, but she declined because he was too drunk. That sparked a confrontation, and Adams claims Winters pushed her out of a chair. She then allegedly admitted to putting the mattress on fire while he was sleeping. According to the lawsuit, Adams instructed the victim to extinguish the fire, but she fled the house when he requested assistance.

Cops apprehended her and took her to jail, where she has been ever since. Adams was first charged with first-degree reckless homicide and arson before accepting the plea deal. She will be given almost 400 days of credit for jail time already served.

Winters’ relatives told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he was a retired factory worker who had recently gone legally blind. He adored painting and drawing and refused to allow his failing vision prevent him from continuing the pastime in his final years.