06:27 PM EST on Monday, March 27, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The woman involved in two murders and arson confessed and appeared in court Monday morning. Now there's a warrant out for her partner's arrest.

Police say the man who lived here was murdered just a few hours after his life partner was stabbed to death and his home set on fire. Police haven't let on to the motive in the murders -- they've just said the two victims and two suspects were acquaintances. A bizarre chain of events led Jennifer Lynn Smith to this courtroom and these charges: two counts murder, one count robbery, two counts arson, and one count tampering with physical evidence.

Also Online

View this story

Rewind to Thursday evening at 109 Harlan Avenue. That's where police say Smith and Dale Moneypenny stabbed Charles Poynter to death.

Smith says she gave Moneypenny a lighter to set fire to the home. Police found Poynter's charred body inside Friday morning. At that time, police didn't know about her but they were searching for Moneypenny.

WHAS11 News

Jennifer Lynn Smith faces charges of murder, arson, robbery and tampering with evidence

All they found of him was his car Friday afternoon at 10th and Jefferson.

Late Saturday night, police got a second suspect and a second murder scene. It turns out after the first killing and fire, Moneypenny and Smith called that victim's gay life partner asking for a place to stay.

With packed bags, the pair went to 425 West Ormsby.

After owner Blaine Thacker went to bed, Smith says the co-defendant murdered Thacker and went through the victim's belongings, taking several things.

Smith is now waiting for her trial. So far police have hit dead ends trying to track down Moneypenny.

On Monday morning, her mother said Smith had only known Moneypenny for a few weeks. He's been charged in the murders and arson even though police haven't found him yet.

Moneypenny is from Ashland, Kentucky, and police there say he has a lengthy rap sheet. He's been arrested 16 times since 1999 on charges ranging from assault to auto theft to burglary.

If you where Moneypenny is, you're asked to call the anonymous Metro Police tip line at 574-LMPD.

Web story produced by Jay Ditzer.