By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Red Bay man will get his day in court this week as he faces attempted murder and arson charges in Franklin County.
Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said Courtney Strickland, 27, of 100 Triplet Drive in Red Bay, is accused of starting a fire at 1406 Highway 187 on Sunday, May 18.
The indictment said that Strickland intentionally started the fire in order to kill the man inside, which was sleeping at the time of the fire.
"A couple was passing by when they noticed that the house was on fire, and knocked on the door, which awoke the victim in this case," Rushing said.
Rushing said that people had left shortly before the fire was started leading investigators to believe Strickland intended to kill the man sleeping in the house.
Strickland is also charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree theft of property.
Rushing said the theft and burglary charges stem from when Strickland entered the house and took items before starting the fire.
Attorney Rebecca Green-Thomason will serve as defense attorney in the case.
Jury selection will be held on Monday. Testimony in the case is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, and is expected to proceed through Wednesday.
Rushing said Assistant District Attorney Doug Evans will try the state's case against Elvis Adam Presley, 23, of Fox Ridge Plaza Apts. in Russellville, later this week.
Rushing said Presley is charged with second-degree theft after allegedly taking a woman's purse and contents while the victim was shopping at Walmart. The incident occurred in March.
Testimony in the Presley trial is expected to begin Thursday morning.