MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A key witness in the Joseph Nevera murder trial in Monongalia County was an arson victim over the weekend.
Monongalia County Sheriff Todd Forbes said deputies and firefighters were called to the residence in the Old Lock 13 Road campground Friday night. Investigators were then joined by the state Fire Marshal’s Office.
“They were able to determine there was some spots there where accelerants were found,” Forbes said. “So they believe fire was set by someone.”
Deputies determined the camper was owned by John Claburn, a witness in the Nevera trial. Claburn told the jury Nevera admitted to him that he killed Kimberly Osborne and even showed him the body.
Claburn has been charged with being an accessory after the fact in the murder case.
David Dewalt, 53, of Ohio, has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson and retaliation against a witness charges in relation to the incident, court documents show.
According to the criminal complaint, Dewalt threatened Claburn leading up to the trial even coming to the camper with gun at one point.
Because of the threats police placed cameras on the property that captured Dewalt at the scene just before the fire.
Despite the video and other evidence Dewalt denied having anything to do with the arson.
Dewalt is being held in the North Central Regional Jail on an $80,000 bail.
Meanwhile, the murder trial continues in Monongalia County Circuit Court. The prosecution rested its case Monday morning. There’s been no word on whether Nevera will take the stand in own defense.