ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Thursday marked day three for the second-degree murder and first-degree arson trial against Taquida Hendrix, who is accused of starting the Portland Avenue house fire in July of last year that killed five-year-old Malakai Stovall.

Investigators say Hendrix and her sister, Tiakayla, used a flammable substance to start a fire on the porch of the two-story home around 2 a.m. on July 29, 2024. Malakai became trapped on the second floor and received burns to 75% of his body. He died three days later.

In the first two days of court, the jury heard testimonies from the Rochester Fire Department's Fire Investigator, Malakai’s babysitter, and responding officers.

In his initial investigation of the scene, the investigator ruled out several potential causes for the fire,

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