A Yellville man is facing multiple felony charges following a domestic dispute and fire earlier this month.
According to an affidavit from the Marion County Circuit Court, 72-year-old Kenneth Lee Nelson is charged with three counts of arson, a Class Y felony, the most serious classification of crime in Arkansas not punishable by death. The punishment on conviction can range up to life in prison. He is also charged with first-degree domestic battery, a Class B felony.
The affidavit states that on Jan. 9 at approximately 5:00, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an 82-year-old female reporting a physical domestic dispute at a residence on Nelson Lane.
The victim told deputies that during an argument, Nelson placed the butt of a rifle against her chest and the barrel in his own mouth, telling her to kill him. She reported that when she attempted to leave, Nelson got into the driver’s seat of her vehicle and attempted to back up, striking her with the door. She also stated that as she tried to leave in another vehicle, Nelson grabbed her and her purse, and she suffered an injury to her hand during a struggle over the keys.
Authorities said Nelson left the residence, and deputies relocated the victim to another location.
About an hour later, deputies received another call reporting Nelson had returned to the residence and was threatening to burn down the house and kill himself.
When deputies arrived, they observed the residence on fire and encountered Nelson exiting the home holding a gas can. According to the affidavit, Nelson refused commands from deputies and set fire to a vehicle parked near the residence. Deputies reported Nelson then produced a firearm and shot himself under the chin.
The fire spread to additional outbuildings and a Kubota tractor. Total property damage was estimated at approximately $175,000.
Nelson was transported to Cox Medical Center South for treatment following the incident and was later released and booked into the Marion County Jail. His bond was set at $100,000.
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