Carthage man charged with setting fire at Webb City home with 3 inside, including his girlfriend

A $150,000 cash-only bond has been set for a Carthage man who is charged with first degree arson for allegedly setting a fire at a home at 408 1/2 N. Main, Webb City when three people were at home.

Richard Ray Harper III (DOB 1988) entered a not guilty plea during a video arraignment today in Jasper County Circuit Court. A bond modification hearing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The allegations against Harper were detailed in the probable cause statement.

Richard R Harper II committed the crimes of assault in the first degree and arson in the first degree, by purposely starting/lighting two fires on a house (408  1/2 N. Main). He started the fires at the front and back door area and was observed by a witness doing this. The house was occupied by three persons.

I, as do the victims, believe this was in an effort to kill or cause serious physical injury to the three victims/persons inside the house (one victim being his girlfriend).

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed the single charge of arson against Harper, despite recommendations by the investigating Webb City Police Department that assault and burglary charges also be filed.