Updated: Arson Suspect Found, Arrested in N.C.; Allegedly Slapped Victim Over Tall Grass a Week Ago

Updated 10 p.m.

While police say Bennett sustained burns to his hands and arms, Cartersville fire officials continue what Chief Scott Carter late Thursday called an active arson investigation.

"All samples and potential evidence have been taken as part of the investigation and are now being processed," Carter said via email. "It is undetermined on how long it will take for analysis.

"Based upon all indicators at this time we can say that this is an active arson investigation."

Updated 4:15 p.m.

Bennett has arrived at the Cartersville Police Department and will be housed at the Bartow County jail, Camp said. It's still unclear when he will first appear before a judge.

Updated 2:30 p.m.

Bennett has signed a waiver of extradition in North Carolina and is to be escorted back to the Cartersville Police Department by the U.S. Marshals, according to Capt. Mark Camp, public information officer. 

Bennett is expected to be back in town by 4 p.m.

In connection with the alleged arson, Bennett faces a number of charges, according to Camp, including:

• Arson
• Two Counts of Aggravated Assault 
• Two Counts of Criminal Damage to Property
• Damaging Public Utilities
• Cruelty to Children
• Second-Degree Burglary
• Reckless Conduct
• Criminal Trespass
• Terroristic Threats
• Possession of Tools in Commission of a Crime

Updated 2 p.m.

Phillip Rodger Bennett, 58, who is accused of torching his neighbor's Cartersville home, may have been upset about more than an unsightly lawn.

Alleged victim Marion Corbitt, 26, said he was watching TV with his 3-year-old daughter about 3 p.m. Wednesday, when Bennett started banging on Corbitt's kitchen door, yelling for him to come outside and complaining about his grass being too high, according to the CPD incident report, attached, which was released today.

Corbitt, who rented his 18 Boatner Avenue home, said "Mr. Bennett then started yelling at Mr. Corbitt and making threats toward him about calling the cops," an officer wrote in the report. "Mr. Corbitt stated that Mr. Bennett said 'he was going to kill (Corbitt) if he called the cops on him again.'

Corbitt said he called 911, but Bennett "left and then came back a few minutes later carrying two gas tanks and a brick. Mr. Bennett then threw the brick through the window and hit Mr. Corbitt in the leg. After the window was broke Mr. Bennett then threw one of the larger gas tanks though the window so he could pour gas from the other gas tank inside the window. Mr. Bennett then lit the pouring gas with a lighter, knowing that both Mr. Corbitt and his daughter (were) still in the house."

After he allegedly lit the fire, Bennett fled in his truck.

"Once the house started catching on fire, Mr. Corbitt (said he) grabbed his daughter and ran out the back door," according to the report.

Updated 1 p.m.

A disagreement between neighbors that left a family without a home and sent the neighbor on the run after an alleged arson may have been brewing for only a week.

No charges were filed against Bennett in a May 7 incident with the victim of yesterday's alleged arson, identified as Marion Corbitt, 26, of 18 Boatner Avenue.

According to the CPD incident report, attached, Corbitt called authorities about 1 p.m. that day to report a confrontation Bennett allegedly started "about (Corbitt's) grass being too tall."

Corbitt told police Bennett twice slapped him in the face, unprovoked. Corbitt's neighbors, who were outside but "did not want to get involved," said they heard an argument, but didn't see any physical contact.

Bennett told police the men had an "argument over the grass being unsightly," but although curse words were exchanged, no physical contact took place.

The only injuries visible, police noted, was Corbitt had a small cut on the inside of his lip.

Citing a lack of evidence and witnesses, police declined to press charges against Bennett, but photographed Corbitt's injury and started a case file.

It was only about week later, according to Corbitt, that Bennett would be back with gas cans and lighter.

Corbitt told The Daily Tribune News that Bennett on Wednesday wanted to talk, but Corbitt locked the door and called 911.

“I’m still on the phone with (911), (Bennett) walks back up with two gas cans, walks right up to my kitchen door and smashes the window of the door with the gas can,” Corbitt said, according to the newspaper. “It only broke one pane, so he grabbed a brick and threw it through the window.…Then he stuck his gas can in the window and started pouring.

"I ran back, grabbed my daughter, and as soon as I grabbed her, I looked down the hallway and he’s lighting it as he’s still pouring it. The whole house just instantly (went up) in flames. I ran out the back door and cleared this (roughly 4-foot) fence in one leap.”

Original Report

The Cartersville man suspected of torching his neighbor's home yesterday was arrested late this morning by the U.S. Marshals, Cartersville Police Department Capt. Mark Camp said in an email.

Phillip Rodger Bennett, 58, was taken into custody in Murphy, N.C. Local police released this statement about 11:45 a.m.:

The Marshals working in conjunction with the Cartersville Police Department have been following leads since the incident happened yesterday. The Marshals were able to make phone contact with Bennett a short while ago and were able to talk Bennett into turning himself in. He is now at the county jail in Murphy and will be transported back to Cartersville as soon as possible. 

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