They've seen for themselves the man accused of touching off a deadly fireworks store fire, watched him giggle through his arraignment and heard about his bizarre behavior since his lobotomy after he suffered head injuries in a skateboarding accident.
Now, many in this town believe the men who allegedly goaded Todd Hall into lighting a fireworks display in the store should also be charged."This was done on a dare, and these boys need to be held accountable," said Ervin Napier, whose D&N Grocery is about half a mile from the store.
Hall, the 24-year-old accused of starting the fire that killed eight people and injured a dozen, has been charged with eight counts of involuntary manslaughter and remains jailed on $500,000 bond.
Prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr. said two adults and a juvenile who went with Hall to the store were questioned but have not been charged.
Amy Wilks, who owns a Proctorville pizza shop, said one of the men who was questioned is well-known for prodding Hall.
"One day, they said, `Hey, Todd, pull your pants down to your ankles and run down the street,' and he does it," said Wilks.