Second man charged in Hamilton firefighter’s death returning to Ohio

William “Billy” Tucker Jr., the second man facing aggravated arson and murder charges in connection with a fire that killed a Hamilton firefighter will soon be back in Ohio to stand trial.

Tucker, 46, waived extradition Wednesday morning in Madison County, Ky., where he was arrested on Jan. 6 following an indictment by a Butler County grand jury.

A court-appointed attorney told Madison County Judge Charles Hardin that Tucker now understood the process and was ready to waive further extradition proceedings. Last week, he requested a hearing.

“Mr. Tucker, I will notify the jail to contact Ohio to come get you,” Hardin said.

Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said Tucker will likely be transported to Butler County by the end of the week.

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A family member who watched the short proceeding told the Journal-News that Tucker and his uncle are not guilty.

A woman, who declined to identify herself but said she was Tucker’s mother, told the Journal-News that Tucker is innocent.

The woman, who said she is the sister of Lester Parker, who is also charged with aggravated arson and murder, said she would also be in Hamilton for Parker's upcoming court appearance. She maintains that Parker is also innocent.

Tucker has been living in Richmond, Ky., for a few years, but the woman said they are all originally from Hamilton. Tucker was arrested at the Blue Moon Bar on Irvine Street. Only the bartender was in the bar Wednesday morning and said she didn’t know Tucker will, but knew of him.

Kentucky State Police officials had an address on Keri Ann Drive in Richmond as Tucker’s residence, but no one at the mobile home knew Parker.

Gmoser said there is no doubt that Parker was in Las Vegas at the time of the fire on Dec. 28, 2015. Evidence in the case will show Tucker as the person who started the fire, he said.

The murder charge carries a prison term of 15 years to life and a $15,000 fine. The aggravated arson charge carries a maximum prison term of 11 years and a $20,000 fine, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Wolterman fell through the first floor of Parker’s Pater Avenue home while fighting a fire that was later ruled an arson. Wolterman died from injuries he sustained battling the blaze.

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