Posted on 07/24/2022 1:50:25 PM PDT by Morgana
RALEIGH COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed a historic West Virginia church, according to court records.
Braxton Allan Miller, 18, of Charleston, and James Dean Elmore, 19, of Beckley were charged for their alleged roles in an arson that leveled the Saint Colman Roman Catholic Church near Shady Spring on June 25, a criminal complaint filed in Raleigh County Magistrate Court notes.
Miller was accused of lighting a fire in the church after a group of people had been partying on the premises overnight, court records said. He is charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy.
Elmore has been charged with conspiracy and accessory after the fact.
The blaze was discovered the morning of June 26 and reported by neighbors and the property’s caretaker.
During an initial investigation, West Virginia State Police said a K-9 alerted to an accelerant that was used in the fire.
Investigators said they then received an anonymous tip that a group of people had been drinking and partying at the church the night it was set on fire, according to the complaint.
Troopers made contact with Elmore, and another suspect, and the two accused Miller of lighting a set of plastic flowers on fire, putting them in the middle of the church, and covering them with a pew before leaving.
The pair also showed investigators a video of the group drinking Natty Daddy on the way to the church, a can of which was found near the premises after the fire.
Warrants were issued for the arrest of Miller and Elmore shortly after, and they are currently being held in Southern Regional Jail on $75,000 surety/cash bonds.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbc25news.com ...
Teens? No. They are adults at the ages of 18 and 19. They are adult arsonists, and they must be punished accordingly if found guilty.
18 and 19 yo. They’re old enough to vote and serve in the military. Those are men.
In AZ we have Mickey D’s. Horrible stuff and only available in 40 ounces. My son and his friends used to drink it 20+ years ago and you only needed 1, which is all they could afford. 🤣
Well if we refer to blacks as “Amish”, maybe we should refer to these guys as “Watusis”.
Or maybe “Natty Parental Unit Beer”
The one on the left looks like the Geico caveman.
caning would be a fair punishment.
Natural Lite Beer. Probably tall boys.
An option. Looking at that church interior, I'd favor hanging.
Stupid little jerks. Destroying a church that is also historical landmark.
The participation trophy and time-out culture strikes again.
I very much doubt these two have much in the way of any developed political or economic philosophy, but this is a perfect illustration of precisely why marxism takes hold and needs to be vigorously and vigalently opposed. It takes entrepreneurs, craftsmen, visionary thinkers and hard work to create. Any dullard can destroy.
Proud mommas.
Exactly. Just a couple of stupid, selfish little jerks.
They were probably overindulged growing up and every demand they made was promptly met by their parents or teachers.
Mandatory sentence in this case should be:
Paying restitution to the church for the rest of their miserable lives.
Let them keep the first $150. of any paycheck they receive, the rest goes to the church. Let them own nothing.
18 and 19 year-olds are adults. Charge, try and sentence them accordingly.
Are there no trees in WV?
Sometimes, sheer stupidity is its own explanation. I bet these two geniuses think Roe v Wade is an MMA match.
They burned this backwoods colonial-era church, built by hand by the priest who founded the Parish.
See #39.
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