Williams Arraigned On Arson Charges, Asked To Be Let Out Of Jail To Attend Children's Funeral's:

David A. Williams

The man who police say started a house fire that killed three children on Monday wants to be let out of jail to attend their funerals.

David Alan Williams, 26, Springfield, was formally arraigned on first-degree arson with injury or death charges this morning via video link from the Greene County jail. Williams pleaded not guilty to the charges, then asked Judge Mark Powell to either lower his $250,000 bond, or let him out of lockup long enough to attend the funerals of his fiances children.

Williams told Judge Powell that he had been released on bond before and had never run---Powell told Williams that he needs to consult with his attorney before he would rule on the matter.

Williams attorney, Andy Hosmer, is scheduled to address those motions tomorrow morning (03-19-10) at 8:30 a.m.

Alexis M. Watson, 7, and Devin L. Watson, 4, died Monday morning at St. John's hospital. Terry Watson Sr., remains in a burn unit there. Kelsey Watson died Monday evening after doctors declared her brain dead and her mother had to make the excruciating decision to remove her from life support.

The children's mother, Violet Watson, says in a raw interview that she does not believe that the man she loves had any involvement in the fire that claimed their lives. She says Williams was the best father they ever knew.

Funeral services for the Watson children are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Klinger-Cope funeral home in Springfield. Terrie Watson Sr.'s condition has been upgraded to serious. He remains hospitalized in the burn unit at St. John's.