An alleged Tacoma serial arsonist is accused of killing a man. Here’s what jurors heard
Jurors heard opening statements Monday in the 27-count case against a Tacoma woman accused of setting a dozen and a half fires over the course of a month, including one that killed an elderly man.
Sarah Ramey, 44, allegedly started a series of fires between late December 2021 and late January 2022 — none more serious than a deadly New Year’s Eve blaze at 2 Rosemount Way in North End Tacoma. James Elliott, 83, was found dead from smoke inhalation on a bathroom floor, only feet from the back door.
Ramey is facing two counts of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder and 17 counts of arson, as well as identity theft, motor vehicle theft and burglary charges, court records show. Wearing a navy-blue shirt with a floral design, black glasses and her hair in a bun, Ramey listened as the prosecution and her defense separately addressed the jury.
In his opening statement, Pierce County deputy prosecutor Derek Keenan told jurors that they could expect during the course of the trial to hear much about the fire that killed Elliott, but there would be more.
“The case doesn’t actually start with 2 Rosemount,” Keenan said. “And it doesn’t end there, either.”
Jurors were told that they’d learn about the prosecution’s claims that Ramey set blazes to 15 other homes, one garage and one vehicle; stole a Metro Parks pickup; and racked up expensive purchases using Elliott’s late wife’s stolen credit card.
They’d be told of evidence, he said, including witness testimony, surveillance footage, cell phone-location data, stolen credit cards and checks found in Ramey’s vehicle. They’d also hear about things she left behind at scenes, including her thumbprint and Emerald Queen Casino’s player card. She also allegedly had made several suspicious web searches, Keenan said.
Charging documents show that authorities obtained a search warrant for Ramey’s cell phone, which revealed search terms such as “Fire setting behavior,” “profiling what kind of person starts fires,” “How to ignite diesel fuel” and “what happens if you get found guilty of spending $10,000 on somebody’s credit card.”
The spate of crimes were all connected, Keenan said, adding, “They point to one conclusion: that Ms. Ramey is guilty of all charges.”
Ramey’s assigned counsel, Mary High, urged jurors to resist any pressure they might feel to render a sweeping conviction. High said there were gaps in evidence and that she’d be asking the jury to acquit Ramey on some of the counts — most prominently, murder.
The investigation into the incidents that comprised the case had been “suspect-minded,” according to High, causing facts to be twisted to “fit a story of guilt” against Ramey. High told jurors they were “not a story corroborator” and that they must set aside feelings of sympathy or anger.
“Proof of one thing,” she said, “doesn’t necessarily mean proof of another.”
The investigation into the fire that killed Elliott appears likely to be a point of contention during the trial, according to the preview offered by opening statements.
The blaze had been determined by a local deputy fire marshal to be accidental but was ruled arson by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives’ continued investigation.
High claimed that the arson finding wasn’t due to any changes in science or facts but only made because there had been other fires. She also said the jury would learn that multiple people had gone in and out of the home over time to loot.
After opening statements, the trial proceeded with the first witness: Tacoma Police Department detective Jeremy Kunkel.
This story was originally published April 15, 2024 at 2:07 PM.
