Prosecutor Announces Possible Guilty Plea in 2019 Arson Case

A Benton County prosecutor announced on Monday that a plea deal has been nearly reached with a Camden woman accused of burning down a doctor’s home in 2019. Candace L. Wright, 40, appeared in court seeking a two-week delay in judgment, with the prosecution revealing that they anticipate a guilty verdict in the coming weeks.

“We have reached a settlement in which we do anticipate a guilty verdict,” the prosecutor stated in court, signaling a potential conclusion to a case that has spanned more than four years. Wright now has until October to finalize her plea and is expected to return to court on October 1.

Wright was indicted by a Benton County Grand Jury on June 22, 2022, following an extensive investigation into the fire that destroyed the home of Dr. Kenneth and Neisha Berry. The fire occurred on the evening of Oct. 2, 2019, at 1875 Douglas Drive in Holladay. When Chalk Level and Holladay McIllwain Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the blaze, they found the house fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters battled the blaze into the early hours of Oct. 3, but the structure was deemed a total loss.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) launched an investigation shortly after the incident, working alongside the Office of the 24th Judicial District Attorney General Matt Stowe. Their investigation, which lasted over two and a half years, ultimately led to indictments against Wright and another individual, Sharon Rene’ Collins, 34, of Jackson. The grand jury issued the indictments on June 22, 2022.

Wright was arrested the following day on charges including arson, vandalism over $250,000, aggravated burglary, theft of property over $10,000, and felony possession of marijuana with intent to sell. She was booked into the Benton County Jail, with bail set at $75,000, and was released on bond within hours. Collins was also arrested on the same day, facing similar charges with her bail set at $25,000. She too was released on bond shortly after her arrest.

The charges against Wright and Collins date back to the night of the fire in 2019. Following the blaze, TBI agents and State Fire Marshal’s Office officials arrived on the scene to begin their investigation. The Berry home was vacant at the time of the fire.

This incident came nearly seven months after a separate fire destroyed The Berry Clinic, located on Camden Court Square, on March 25, 2019. The clinic fire also caused damage to neighboring buildings, and despite a thorough investigation, the Department of Commerce and Insurance listed the cause as “undetermined.” The remains of the clinic were later leveled to help stabilize the adjacent structures.

With a potential plea deal in the works, the upcoming October 1 court date could bring a resolution to the long-running investigation. The settlement, if finalized, would mark a significant step forward in the case and potentially result in a guilty verdict for Wright.