INDIANAPOLIS -- The 16-year-old adopted son of a man killed in a house fire last week has pled not guilty to arson and murder in connection with his father's death.
Jordan Marin-Doan was arrested Saturday in Adams County, two days after a fire at his Highland Road home killed his adopted father, Jason Doan, 45.
Doan’s husband, Alan Marin, said they woke up to find a fire blocking their exit and Doan helped him and their other two adopted children escape through a window before succumbing to the flames and smoke inhalation.
READ | Adopted son charged with father's death in fire
Marin-Doan kept his head down as he walked into the courtroom Wednesday afternoon where he pled not guilty to charges of murder, arson and auto theft. The judge also issued a no-contact order preventing Marin-Doan from having any contact with his adoptive family.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, fire investigators determined fuel commonly used in weed eaters had been poured on the carpet of a stairwell in the house.
READ | Indy fire leaves man in critical condition
Marin-Doan reportedly admitted to police that he poured the fuel and then lit it with a lighter.
Marin told police that the teen had been threatening to kill everyone in the house and had said he wanted to kill his adopted parents “so he could get a cell next to his biological father in prison.”
Police said Marin-Doan was not mad at the time of his arrest and told them he did not know why he started the fire.
Marin-Doan's next court date is scheduled for January 3 at 9 a.m. His trial is set to begin January 8.
MORE FROM THE CRIME BEAT | The ‘Grundy Crew’ has a long history in Indianapolis. It may have caught up with them. | PC: Man murdered over missing drugs belonging to the ‘Mexican Mafia’ | Why are .40-calibers surging in Indy as crime guns? | Message written in blood leads IMPD to murder suspect | MAP: 2017 Indianapolis Homicides
