A Greenbrier County man is awaiting a preliminary hearing after his arrest earlier this week on a felony murder charge.
Greenbrier County sheriff’s deputies charged Harvey Lee Davis, 35, of Orient Hill, following a fatal fire in the community of Leslie Tuesday night.
Chief Deputy Bruce Sloan says the investigation shows Davis was spending the evening with the victim Dennis Williams, 56, and Williams’ brother Kenneth Williams when an argument broke out concerning a chainsaw Davis had pawned. The chainsaw belonged to Dennis Williams.
Chief Sloan says all three men were drinking. He says Davis was told to leave and when he did Kenneth Williams also left the house. Dennis Williams went to bed. Davis then allegedly went to the back porch and ignited a couch with a lighter. Chief Sloan says Davis claims he tried to put the fire out but could not. He then ran.
The body of Dennis Williams was found in the house. Davis was arrested a short time later. He was hiding behind a guardrail along Route 20.
Davis is being held without bail in the Southern Regional Jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for the week of April 22.