Surveillance pictures allegedly show arson suspect buying gas used in deadly fire

PITTSBURGH — The man accused of setting a fire that killed three people, including a 4-year-old girl, will head to trial.

Martell Smith, 41, had a preliminary hearing Friday. Smith's accused of setting fire to the home on Bennet Street in Homewood South home in December.

Smith is charged with the homicides of 4-year-old Chy'enne Manning, Shamira Staten and Sandra Lynn Carter Douglas.

Carter Douglas' husband, Cecil Douglas, was also in the home that night and escaped by leaping from a window. He attended Smith's hearing on crutches, still wearing a walking boot.

He said he wants justice "for Shamira, for the baby, for my wife."

The family of the victims packed the courtroom.

Channel 11 has learned that investigators believe the fire was set in retaliation after a fight at The Spot Bar in Penn Hills. Smith got into a fight with another man, according to police, who allege he came to the house to retaliate, even though the man wasn't even at home.

The documents also reveal Smith was captured on surveillance video, and Facebook Live, buying gasoline from a Sunoco. Surveillance pictures were shown in court Friday allegedly showing Smith buying the gasoline used to start the fire.

A clerk there told Channel 11 that Smith is a frequent customer.

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According to court documents, when Smith was arrested, he smelled of gasoline. In those same documents, it says Smith watched the house burn and told witnesses, "They made me do it."

Smith faces three counts of criminal homicide and several related arson and narcotics charges.

Tiasia Malloy, 26, was also arrested in connection with the arson, investigators said. Malloy is charged with aggravated assault on an officer.

Cox Media Group