A 13-year-old boy has been charged with capital murder in connection with the death of another teenager in Tate County, according to law enforcement officials.
Sheriff Brad Lance identified the suspect as Michael Lane Campbell of Coldwater, who was charged as an adult Friday, Sept. 3, after an investigation into the death of Gaines Coker, 13, of Tunica.
Campbell is being held without bond following an appearance in Tate County Justice Court on Thursday, Sept. 9, where his case was turned over to Tate County Circuit Court.
Coker was severely injured in a fire Sunday, June 27, that started when the two boys were playing inside a workshop behind a residence on Arkabutla Dam Road, according to Lance.
Coker was airlifted and stabilized at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis before being transported by helicopter to the burn center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock where he passed away Monday, June 28, at approximately 2:50 p.m.
Lance said family members were inside the house when the fire started and Campbell was not injured.
Investigators have not released details regarding what ignited the fire.
