Ede Warner Jr. read a statement proclaiming his innocence during a news conference Friday. His attorney Mike Goodwin looked on at left. (By Chris Quay, The Courier-Journal)
University of Louisville professor Ede Warner Jr. has denied allegations that he set fire to his house Sunday while his wife and one of their children were inside.
Warner, a 16-year tenured professor of pan-African studies and debate coach, faces felony arson, wanton endangerment and assault charges in the incident, which Warner said was the first domestic disturbance between him and his wife in their 16 years of marriage.
"I want to publicly maintain that I am 100 percent innocent of all of these charges," he said at a news conference Friday at his attorney's office.
"I am a deeply passionate and compassionate man who loves his family very much," he said, reading from a statement.
According to authorities, a daylong dispute between Warner and his wife, Motriyo Isles-Warner, escalated with Warner "throwing things around the house, destroying things."
Maj. Henry Ott, chief arson investigator for Louisville Fire & Rescue, said Warner allegedly threw his wife's coat on the stove, setting it on fire, while his wife and one of their children were upstairs in a locked bedroom.
Warner yelled to his wife that the house was on fire and all three got out unharmed, Ott said. The Warners' home, in the 11000 block of Deutsch Farm Road, received minor damage to the stove and kitchen.
Warner also allegedly threw Isles-Warner on a sofa and the floor.
Warner was charged with arson for "intentionally setting fire to a building when it is occupied," Ott said.
Warner did not address any direct questions at the news conference.
Mike Goodwin, his attorney, said his client would not answer questions until they go through the litigation process.
"Dr. Warner would love to have his side of the story heard, but unfortunately you have to wait and have that heard in a court of law and not the court of public opinion," Goodwin said.
Warner will begin getting help from the university's Employee Assistance Plan next week, which provides assistance for emotional, behavioral, family and marital problems. He plans to teach during the fall semester.
"He wants to reassure the University of Louisville and the students that he has there that he's still the same Dr. Warner that they've had in the past," Goodwin said.
University spokesman Mark Hebert said the school supports Warner's decision to work with the assistance program.
"We're concerned about the charges against Professor Warner and we'll continue to monitor the situation," he said in an e-mailed statement.
Warner helped the university's debate team adopt a hip-hop and theatrical style. He also recruited black students with little or no debate experience, creating one of the more diverse squads in the nation.
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