The man accused of helping set a Wodonga motel room on fire wants to plead not guilty.
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Trinity John Carter, 41, showed his frustration when the prosecution summary was read out in Wodonga Magistrates Court yesterday by shaking his head multiple times and putting his head in his hands.
Carter is accused of aiding co-accused Felicity Meloury, 35, set room four at the Warrina Motor Inn on fire on August 31 last year by allegedly handing her a lighter.
Prosecutor Carmela Pezzimenti told the court Meloury allegedly set a mattress alight inside the room about 12.55am.
"CCTV captures Meloury exiting the car walking towards room four, checking her pockets before walking back to the car," she said.
"She spoke to Carter before lighting a cigarette with the lighter given to her by Carter. "She can be seen on CCTV footage forcing the door open slightly, remaining there for a short period of time before walking back to the car."
Ms Pezzimenti said the pair walked back to the room before Carter was captured on CCTV footage standing at the door with light flickering from the hotel room which police believe was the fire.
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"Neither made any attempt to notify the other occupants of the adjoining rooms, nor did they notify emergency services to allow the fire brigade to attend and extinguish the fire," Ms Pezzimenti said. In his police interview he claimed to have no knowledge of the fire.
Meloury is set to plead guilty on February 24. The pair remain in custody.
Carter's lawyer is applying to have the matter heard in the lower court but magistrate Peter Dunn wanted that to be decided by the same magistrate as the co-accused and adjourned the matter to a later date.