Columbia police make arrest in June Paris Road arson case that killed man
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia Police Department says it has arrested a man accused of killing another man after setting a porch on fire in June in the 1500 block of Paris Road.
Police wrote in a social media statement that it arrested Brandon Butchkoski, 47, of Columbia, on Thursday on suspicion of second-degree murder and first-degree arson in connection with a June 15 fire that killed Donovan Baylis.
Previous reporting indicates that a man who said he witnessed the attack -- but wanted to stay anonymous because of safety concerns -- told ABC 17News he saw someone throw gasoline onto the porch, lighting the victim on fire, and said the victim was later transported to a St. Louis hospital.
Baylis, 31, died from his injuries on July 14. He is not currently listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster, though he was detained in June for another case.
He is charged with first-degree arson and drug possession after he allegedly tried to set a single-story house on fire in the same area of Paris Road on June 29. Court records show he posted a $10,000 bond on Sept. 9. A hearing in that case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20.
He was charged also charged with illegal gun possession in August and has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.
