Top stories of 2014: Local man charged with attempted murder, arson

June 2014

A Russellville man was arrested Friday after authorities said he tried to burn down his neighbors’ home while there were eight people inside.

Jeffery Dewayne Baker, 50, East Lauderdale Street, Russellville, was arrested for eight counts of attempted murder and one count of first-degree arson, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

According to Hargett, the fire department received a call shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday stating there was a house on East Lauderdale Street that had been set on fire.

When authorities arrived on the scene, they discovered the fire had been extinguished but the victims told authorities their neighbor, later identified as Baker, had intentionally set the fire.

According to reports, Baker allegedly used the foam from inside a couch cushion to set the neighbors home on fire.