Woman enters plea in hotel arson case

Jace Radke

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001 | 9:46 a.m.

A 48-year-old California woman could face up to 10 years in prison after entering what amounts to a no-contest plea on charges of second-degree arson in connection with a May fire at the Gold Spike hotel.

Betty Jo Hawkins of Santa Cruz, Calif., acknowledged that the state can prove its case against her in Justice Court, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

Authorities discovered that Hawkins was wanted in Las Vegas on arson charges after she was arrested Sept. 10 on a local charge in Santa Cruz, Szymanski said.

Hawkins will be sentenced later this year, and is facing one to 10 years in prison.

On May 31 at 11:04 a.m. a fire broke out in Hawkins' room on the third floor of the Gold Spike, 400 E. Ogden Ave., Szymanski said. Although the blaze was confined to Hawkins' room, smoke flooded the third floor, some guests panicked and, to escape, broke windows, Szymanski said.

Two women jumped from a fourth floor window and landed on the roof of the casino. A total of 17 people, who were suffering from minor injuries and smoke inhalation, were taken to hospitals.

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