One of three people accused in a deadly fire in Willamina pleaded guilty to charges Wednesday.
Jacob Thomas Brooks plead guilty to manslaughter in the first degree and arson in the first degree in connection with the fire that killed Dieter H. Aulig, 79, in June last year. According to investigators, Brooks and the other teen accused in the fire, Nicholas J.D. Aulig, Dieter’s grandson, conspired to steal a large amount of money being stored at the Auligs’ home.
Nicholas’s grandmother, Theresa Aulig, suffered non-life-threatening burns as a result of the fire at their home in the 38100 block of Southwest Tenbush Lane. Nicholas was found the day after the fire at Brooks’ house after authorities said they were concerned he may have been injured in the fire.
Brooks was 15 years old at the time of the fire and Nicholas was 14.