Man beaten, then set on fire over rent payment 4 years ago, cops say. One now charged
After four years, officials say a Minnesota man has been charged in connection with the death of a man he said “cheated him out of $2,800” in rent money, according to media reports.
Richard Handsome Carter, Jr. 42, of St. Paul, was arrested June 17 on a charge of second-degree intentional murder and two counts of first-degree arson, Hennepin County Jail records show.
McClatchy News was unable to find attorney information for Carter.
Firefighters found the body of 52-year-old Wayne Jacob Arvidson on Feb. 28, 2020, while responding to a call about a fire in the basement of a Minneapolis building, WCCO reported.
Carter was subletting a basement room from Arvidson to use as a recording studio, KARE reported.
The building landlord told police that Arvidson was behind on his rent and going to be evicted, the station reported.
Carter denied involvement in Arvidson’s death but told investigators that Arvidson cheated him out of $2,800 of rent money that he gave Arvidson but that Arvidson never paid to the landlord.
Arvidson’s body was covered with plywood and other material to fuel the fire, KSTP reported citing court records.
An autopsy revealed Arvidson had multiple blunt force injuries to his head and neck, which investigators said they believed were caused by a 5-gallon paint bucket, The Star Tribune reported, citing court records.
Court records show Arvidson was dead before his body was set on fire, KARE reported.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Arvidson’s death a homicide, according to a news release.
DNA evidence collected from a lighter found at the scene was a “very strong” match with Carter’s, KARE reported, citing a criminal complaint.
Carter is being held at Hennepin County Jail on $1 million bail, jail records show.
This story was originally published June 19, 2024 at 3:14 PM with the headline "Man beaten, then set on fire over rent payment 4 years ago, cops say. One now charged."
