Dunklin County prepares for trial of Kennett man accused of setting fire to his home while roommates slept inside

KENNETT, Mo. - A city man who fled on foot from police and is charged with setting fire to his home while roommates slept faces a Dunklin County jury on Jan. 19.

Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain charged George David Cumpton, Jr., 54, of 205 Michael St., Kennett, with felony first-degree arson, three counts of felony first-degree assault, and felony resisting arrest in connection to the 2023 blaze.

A Probable Cause Affidavit (PCA) filed July 26, 2023 by Kennett Police Dept. Capt. Philip Caldwell states two people inside the home were sleeping on July 22, 2023, and awoke when Cumpton "came busting through the wall yelling at someone" who was not there.

"Cumpton went past them and turned and looked toward his bedroom where the fire started telling an imaginary person that now they will burn," Caldwell's statement indicates. "At the time the fire started, two witnesses were sleeping in the bedroom next to Cumpton and one witness was sleeping on the couch in the living room.

"Officers attempted to speak with Cumpton on scene, however Cumpton was mumbling and talking to people who were not there," the PCA states. "Cumpton was placed under arrest and transported to the Dunklin County Jail. I believe the defendant is a danger to the victims due to him already burning the residence while they were inside."

Caldwell's statement also reflects that the Missouri State Fire Marshal noted the fire was set intentionally and that everyone inside the home was asleep at the time except Cumpton.

A supplemental PCA dated Aug. 22, 2023, and filed by Kennett Police Dept. Officer Scott Ellington states he saw Cumpton outside the Kennett Sonic restaurant and knew he was wanted by police and courts for arson.

Cumpton fled on foot from Ellington, who eventually found him behind a First Street car wash lying prone in a ditch between First Street and Second Street, according to the supplemental report.

He was taken to the Dunklin County Justice Center and placed on a 24-hour hold, the PCA states.

Cumpton was in police custody without bond and 35th Judicial District Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rob Mayer on Dec. 29, 2023, ordered him to undergo a mental examination at Farmington, according to court documents.

The Department of Mental Health on Jan. 16, 2024, requested additional time to examine Cumpton, and Mayer granted the extension until May 10, 2024, court records state.

A change of judge order filed on June 21, 2024, resulted in Mayer being excused from the trial, and Senior Judge Mark Preyer was appointed to hear the case, according to court records.

Cumpton was found competent to proceed and an order to that effect was filed on Jan. 2, court documents state.

Cumpton is represented by Kennett Attorney Daren Todd.

Jain represents the state.

The jury trial is set to commence at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Dunklin County Justice Center at Kennett, according to public records.