Bobbie Kugler Pleads Guilty in Fatal Fire
By: Caroline Tucker
Updated: December 7, 2012
The Rochester mother who set her home on fire killing four of her children took a plea deal Friday.
Bobbie Kugler originally faced murder, manslaughter, assault and arson charges.
But the plea deal eliminated the murder charges.
As part of the deal, Kugler will spend 7 to 15 years in prison.
Bobbie Kugler's attorney had to hold her up during some points of her guilty plea this morning, she cried as the judge asked her to recount how the fire started in her Grape Street home.
The mothers of the two boys, Waltquaries Evans and Giovanni Delorm, also injured in the fire were in court to hear Kugler's plea.
They did not speak with reporters after the court proceeding.
Kugler pleaded guilty to manslaughter, assault, and arson.
Kugler told the court she was drunk and took sleeping and anxiety medication before the fire happened.
The fire started around 1:20 am.
The home was filled with 7 sleeping children and a friend of Kugler's, James Austin.
She said she lit a photograpgh on fire at the stove, used it to light incense in her room and set it down before going to sleep.
She said she only remembers being rushed out of the home by Austin.
In court she said, "I told him I needed to grab my baby because he was on the couch."
Four of her children died.
"Our office looks for justice in this matter and there has never been an allegation that Ms. Kugler intentionally killed her fire, but she admitted to an intentional act that started the fire," said Kyle Steinebach, Assistant District Attorney.
"This disposition was the fairest compromise between the possibilites of what could haev happened after trial," said Michael Lopez, Kugler's attorney.
During the court proceeding, Kugler at one point said "I want this over."
Her attorney said in response to reporters, "I can't imagine anyone who was going through what Bobbie was going through who wouldn't want that to end."
Kugler is expected to face a minimum of 7 years in a correctional facility and is expected to be sentenced on January 22nd at 2pm.
