News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A DeKalb County juvenile will appear in court Monday for alleged aggravated arson and the first-degree murder of his father.
43-year-old Edward Lemons died when his house caught fire in December. Sheriff Patrick Ray said the department believes the fire was intentionally set.
“It has been a tragic event for our county,” Ray said. “The victim of this here was a well-known man. His son played football. It’s just a tragic shock to our county, and it’s been a hard case to work.”
According to Ray, Lemon’s 15-year-old son was named in a juvenile petition Thursday after a fire investigation found an accelerant was used. Ray said the sheriff’s office moved forward on the charges after consulting District Attorney Bryant Dunaway. Ray said Dunaway will determine how the juvenile will be tried.
“We took numerous samples from the home,” Ray said. “They were sent off to the crime lab. We got those results back not too long ago and met with District Attorney Bryant Dunaway this week and decided to move forward with the juvenile detention.”
Ray said Monday’s court appearance will decide if the juvenile remains in custody at the Putnam County Detention Center or is moved.
The fire occurred at 5056 Jacobs Pillar Road in early December. The split-level home was engulfed at the lower area of the structure. Fire crews worked to contain the flames from reaching the second level but were unable to reach Lemons in time. The home was deemed a complete loss.
