KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Weston man is accused of intentionally setting a fire that killed a 60-year-old man Sunday in Platte County.
Anthony Fleming, 24, was arrested and charged early Monday with first-degree arson and second-degree murder in connection with the deadly fire, which killed Timothy Darby, who lived at the home with Fleming.
According to court records, Fleming set fire to their home in the 600 block of Prospect Street in the early morning hours on Sunday. Firefighters found Darby dead inside the home.
Fleming fled from the residence before first responders arrived and was found several hours later about a mile from the home. He had attempted to barricade himself with sticks and tree limbs. He was wearing only socks and was covered in soot, with visible injuries on his hands and body, according to a probable cause statement.
A third person who lives in the home told police that Fleming had been using methamphetamines since Friday and could be heard talking to himself. Fleming also reportedly said that Darby, who was in hospice care, had said that he was ready to die.
Fleming told detectives that he set the fire “to cause a distraction to make it look like he had died,” according to the probable cause statement. He said he believed others had turned the home into a “meth house” and said that he “condemned the house himself and saved my best friend,” according to the statement.
He also said that he hoped Darby was alive but that it was "his fault" if he ran back into the house, according to the statement.
Fleming faces life in prison on each charge if convicted, according to Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd. He is being held without bond in the Platte County Detention Facility.
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