17 December 2024

Man charged with arson in Holt committed for trial

| Claire Sams
ACT Fire and Rescue HAZMAT crew

Atem Marol Deng, 39, is facing two charges. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.

A man who allegedly lit a fatal house fire is set to fight the charges in the ACT Supreme Court.

Atem Marol Deng, 39, has been accused of killing 36-year-old Kot Ador Deng (also known as Bol Ador Deng), as well as setting a home in Giltinan Place, Holt, on fire on 22 May 2024.

The two men are not related.

He has been charged with murder and arson. In a May court appearance, his lawyer indicated he would plead not guilty.

On Monday (16 December), Mr Deng briefly appeared in court via audio-visual link when his case was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

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Emergency services were called to the Holt home at about 2:50 am on the morning of 22 May.

Police later said a body that firefighters found inside the property was Mr Ador Deng, who lived at the property.

Mr Atem Deng was later arrested on 31 May and remanded in custody.

His case will return to court in January 2025.

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