JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OR - (December 20, 2021) - Oregon State Police is reporting that on January 16, 2019, the Illinois Valley Fire District and Arson Investigators from the Oregon State Police responded to a residential fire at 150 E River Street in Cave Junction. Investigators found the deceased body of then, 66-year-old Donald M. Thomas in the burned residence. The Oregon State Police Criminal Division responded to investigate the death of Mr. Thomas.
The investigation went cold until November 2019, when Clarabelle Compton came forward. She provided a statement, naming all the individuals involved. On November 26, 2019, investigators located and interviewed the four suspects. The suspects were arrested for Arson, Burglary, and the Murder of Mr. Thomas.
One of the suspects, Justin Mason (31), plead guilty and is currently serving his sentence.
On December 14, 2021, the two-week trial ended, and the jury found Richard M. Webb (39) guilty on all four charges:
- Arson in the First Degree
- Murder x 2
- Burglary in the First Degree
The other two suspects, Kenny Webb (37) and Dakota Crow (26) have trials set for next year.
