Vicksburg woman charged with arson and murder for Speed Street fire that killed Ernest Gleese

Update – 7:54 p.m. – The State Fire Marshals Office has announced a second person,  74- year- old Albert Thomas is also wanted in connection to this case. A bench warrant has been issued for Thomas who will be charged with murder and arson. According to Investigator Kevin Butler with the Fire Marshals Office, Thomas and Mansfield deliberately set the house on fire after arguing with Gleese over drugs.

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A Vicksburg woman has been arrested and charged with arson and manslaughter in the intentional setting of a fire on Speed Street Friday night.

The fire claimed the life of 75-year-old Ernest Gleese.

Just after 10:30 p.m. Friday night, several units with the Vicksburg Fire Department including Engine 7 worked the fire from the outside of the home. Rescue, Engine 8, and Battalion 1 were on the scene along with Chief Derrick Stamps.

The units were able to extinguish the fire quickly despite the intensity of the flames. They began by pushing the fire to the back of the single-family home and then worked on the garage area with at least two lines. Once the fire was out they were able to enter the structure and found Gleese deceased in the home.

According to Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps the origin of the fire was suspicious so the State Fire Marshals Office was called in to investigate. That investigation was joined by the Vicksburg Police Department and that led to an arrest.

Carolyn Mansfield, 50

Carolyn Mansfield, 50, was arrested and charged in the fire and death. Mansfield went before Judge Penny Lawson in Municipal Court this morning and was charged with arson and murder. Her bond was set at $750,000 for the arson and $1,000,000 for murder.

Mansfield was on probation for prior charges so she will have to serve her suspended time before being allowed to post bond.

Her case has been bound over to the next term of the Warren County Grand Jury.