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Woman Faces Arson Charge

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LISA A. DAVIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 1, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Marital troubles ignited a July 17 fire that started inside a closet in the master bedroom and spread throughout much of a home in the Rosewood at River Ridge subdivision, authorities say.

The flames, heat and smoke caused about $100,000 in damages to the house at 7916 Roundelay Drive.

After eliminating the possibility of accidental causes, Pasco County fire investigator Donald Campbell narrowed it to one source: 'human hands,' according to an arrest affidavit.

Those hands, Campbell alleges, belong to homeowner Jean Baricko, 60, who is estranged from husband David.

She is accused of setting fire to a pile of his clothes and other possessions at the bottom of the closet.

Baricko was arrested on an arson charge Tuesday at her daughter's home nearby.

She was released from the Land O' Lakes Jail after posting $20,000 bail.

Baricko told investigators the estrangement from her husband had been amicable.

However, records show it's been anything but.

The sheriff's office has been called to the couple's home several times since May 2006.

Jean Baricko has accused her husband of being unfaithful, which he denies, according to reports.

She also questioned him about relationships he had before they married more than 20 years ago.

Five days after the fire, Jean Baricko is accused of firing a gun at him inside the home as he came to pick up some belongings.

About 10:20 that morning, David Baricko was at the kitchen table when his wife 'sucker punched' him on the side of the face, a report states.

She seemed to get more heated when he asked whether she felt better for having hit him, the report states.

At some point, she pushed a pad of paper in front of him and asked him to write down how many affairs he's had since they were married, according to a report.

He refused to answer, and when he stood up from the table, Jean Baricko grabbed a handgun out of a blue denim bag hanging on a chair.

She fired once, a report states. The bullet lodged in a column in the living room. He grabbed the gun from her and went outside.

His wife had threatened that he wouldn't make it to his 61st birthday, a report states.

David Baricko asked whether she was going to have him killed.

'I wouldn't implicate anyone since you are not worth it,' she reportedly told him.

When deputies confronted Jean Baricko she told them, 'I just meant to scare him. I wasn't trying to hurt him,' according to a report.

She was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Last month, Baricko pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of improper exhibit of a firearm, a misdemeanor. A formal finding of guilt was withheld, according to court records.

David Baricko couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday. His wife directed inquiries to her attorney, Sonny Im, who also wasn't available to talk about the case.

The couple have not filed for divorce, according to court records.

Property records show that David and Jean Baricko purchased the home new in February 2004.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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