Markum still on hot seat for arson
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The suspect, Dorris Lee Markum, 28, was bound over by General Sessions Judge Larry Ross following a preliminary hearing on charges of two counts of arson, two counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of theft.
His wife, Beth Markum, 32, who lawmen believe was driving the get-away car, entered guilty pleas to charges of theft and public intoxication. She was issued an 11-month, 29-day probationary sentence, must make $570 restitution and pay a $10 fine.
The Markums were arrested shortly after firefighters found evidence of a burglary when they responded to a fire on Loss Crouch Road. Lawmen later determined the fire at the residence was started by turning on the eyes of the stove and placing papers on them as a type of time-delay fuse. The home suffered significant smoke and fire damage.
A second fire was discovered minutes later at another nearby residence. Firemen smelled a scent of kerosene where the suspect had allegedly tried to spark a second fire. The second home was not as badly damaged as the first.
While officers were investigating the fires, a call was received reporting a van had become stuck on a retaining wall nearby. When officers arrived, they found Mrs. Markum lying in a ditch drunk, with her van still stuck. Officers believe the couple had just burglarized a vehicle outside a third residence, and, in her drunken condition, Mrs. Markum had backed their van into the nearby retaining wall.
Mr. Markum was chased down by officers minutes later. Several items taken in the burglaries were found in the woods nearby. If convicted, Mr. Markum could face eight to 12 years in prison on both arson charges.