Three suspects in fire at vacant Turlock plant appear in court

MODESTO -- Three women accused of burning a vacant Turlock cheese plant appeared briefly Tuesday in Stanislaus County Superior Court.

Lanette Sullivan, Wanda White and Erika Clardy have been charged with attempted murder and arson. They're accused of burning the defunct cheese plant in an attempt to kill a man with whom they fought.

Their attorneys asked Judge Dawna Reeves to postpone the pretrial hearing until April 29. The defense attorneys told the judge they're waiting to receive additional discovery evidence from the prosecution. The women are transients.

Police have said the defendants had sought shelter with the alleged victim and were involved in a dispute with him at the former Lactalis USA building on West Main Street. The man escaped the fire without injuries.

The defendants remain in custody at the Stanislaus County Jail.