Tracey Dyess Next up for Commutation Review

Byline Title: Attorney Chuck Fagan helps Tracey Dyess answer questions from the judge Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005, in Atlantic, Iowa. Dyess, 18, charged in a fatal fire that killed two family members last spring in Griswold pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted murder, voluntary manslaughter and arson. The plea agreement with prosecutors means she was sentenced to a maximum of up to 45 years in prison. She will have to serve at least 17 1/2 years under the deal. (AP Photo/ Phil Johnson, POOL)

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Feb 25, 2009 at 12:09 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 25, 2009 at 12:14 PM CST

GRISWOLD - An Iowa woman who's in prison for setting a fatal fire is next on the list for a possible commutation of her sentence.

Tracey Dyess, 21, set her family's home on fire in 2005. She said she was trying to kill her stepfather after he had sexually abused her for years. But instead, the fire killed her younger sister and nephew, while her mother and stepfather escaped.

The Des Moines Register reports Governor Culver has 90 days to decide whether to commute Dyess' sentence.

Currently, Dyess has a tentative discharge date of 2035 and she'll be eligible for parole in 2022.

Dyess' stepfather, Brian Street, is currently serving a 30-year sentence for taking pornographic photos of her as a child.

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