Ray convicted in Morgan County.

The trial began with jury selection on Tuesday against Maynard Moses Ray. The State presented 13 witnesses. The trial concluded on Thursday, June 30, 2022. The jury started deliberations at 10:30 AM and returned with a verdict at 11:57 AM. The jury found Ray guilty on all six counts, Burglary in the First Degree (2 counts), Arson in the First Degree, Criminal Damage to Property in the Second Degree; Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, and Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree. Senior Judge, William A. Prior sentenced Ray to twenty years with the first fifteen years to serve.

Mr. Ray found a hunting camp in the woods off US 441. Ray broke into the cabins and intended to “claim” them for himself. He or his friend Carl Johnson burned the cabins to the ground. When the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office investigated the incident, they found that Ray’s 2 year old child was emaciated and malnourished. Ray was convicted of Burglary, Arson, and Cruelty to Children.

DA’s Office would like to thank Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and Lt. Joseph Pritchett for all of their hard work.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeff P. Burks with our Morgan County Office.