Alleged arsonist still at large

Published 11:00 pm Friday, January 10, 2014

Missing arson man web

William Carroll Davis, 2009

 

William Carroll Davis’ name appeared on Monday’s circuit court docket, but no one in court that day expected to see him there.

Davis has been a staple on the docket since he was released on a $10,000 bond in October 2010 and then missed his scheduled court appearance weeks later.

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“He has an alias warrant out for his arrest,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeff Moore.

Davis was charged with first-degree arson and second-degree assault for an incident that happened Nov. 22, 2009 in Southland Trailer Park.

A witness reported seeing Davis, a resident of the trailer park, throw a Molotov cocktail into the occupied home of Randy Grantham.

According to court records, Grantham went to Davis’ home to confront him after the fire was put out. Davis threw a clawed hammer at Grantham’s head, fracturing his skull and leaving a large gash across the bridge of his nose.

Davis, who was 36 years old at the time of the incident, admitted during an interrogation that he had hit Grantham with the hammer. He said it was only after Grantham had hit him with a two-by-four.

Davis denied any involvement in the arson.

A case that moved quietly through circuit court for one year is no closer to closing after three.

At the discretion of Judge Shannon Clark, Davis’ case will appear on her docket until he is once again apprehended, arrested and perhaps, one day returned to Pike County Circuit Court.