Jackson woman gets 20 years for arson in murder attempt

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Jackson woman who was convicted March 1 of arson, attempted murder and first-degree burglary will spend at least 17 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

Circuit Judge David Dolan in Mississippi County Circuit Court followed the jury's recommendation on Friday and sentenced Tara McClanahan to 20 years for arson, 10 years for attempted murder and five years for burglary, according to assistant prosecuting attorney Jack Koester. The sentences will run concurrently, he said, but state law mandates that anyone convicted of arson must serve 85 percent of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

"It does not matter that she has no prior criminal history," Koester said. "She has to serve 85 percent of the sentence."

McClanahan, 33, and Juanita Holderbaugh, also of Jackson, were arrested in June for breaking into McClanahan's mother's home and setting a fire in the bedroom while her mother, Billie Davis, slept. Davis awoke and escaped from the burning house.

Holderbaugh pleaded guilty earlier and is currently serving a 10-year sentence.