Revenge By Ex-Lover Or Arson By Homeowner?

Was it revenge by an ex-lover or arson by a Clay County, Minn., woman that caused a series of fires that burned down her house and barn?

Prosecutors say Tara Andvik set the fires on her rural Barnesville property last fall and blamed a former co-worker with whom she had an affair. Assistant County Attorney Heidi Davies told jurors Tuesday at Andvik’s trial that Keith Beam ended his relationship with Andvik when it became clear she hadn’t divorced her husband.

Andvik’s attorney, Steve Mottinger, told jurors that it was Andvik that ended the relationship after she had second thoughts about ending her marriage. Mottinger says that made Beam livid.

The Forum reports Andvik is facing three counts of first-degree arson and each carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison upon conviction.