Woman accused of fatal fire offered settlement

GREEN BAY (WLUK) — A plea deal is on the table for a woman accused of intentionally setting a fire that killed her infant nephew.

Marcelia Fonseca appeared in court Thursday. Her lawyer said she is considering an offer from prosecutors that would settle the case before a retrial in November. The defense expects Fonseca to announce her decision early next week.

Her next court date is scheduled for October 4.

Fonseca, now 20, is charged with first-degree intentional murder and arson for the June 7, 2019, fire in northeast Green Bay that killed her 11-month-old nephew. She was 15 at the time of the fire.

After a trial last October, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict – seven jurors voted guilty and five acquitted – so the trial was declared invalid.

In Wisconsin, children ages 10 to 16 are tried in adult court in most manslaughter cases. Her attempt to have the case moved to juvenile court was denied.

Fonseca was released in April on $2,500 bail.