A Winnsboro man has been charged earlier this week with murder in the stabbing death of a man found inside a burning home in Lexington, County, on July 23, 2024, according to a Lexington County Sheriff’s report.

Edward Leroy Smith, 39, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 13, and charged with murder in the stabbing death of Caldwell Melton Motley, Jr.

Smith was also charged with attempted murder of another man.

According to the initial incident report at the time of the stabbing, Lexington County EMS and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department discovered Motley’s body when they arrived on scene of a burning home on Oak Ridge Lane in Lexington County. Emergency personnel found Motley’s body inside the burning home.

The emergency crews also discovered another man with injuries in a separate garage-type building on the property. That man was transported for medical care.

“During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that Smith stabbed Motley to death,” said Lexington Sheriff Jay Coon. “Detectives also determined that Smith injured the other man at the scene by striking him with an edged object.”

Victim and witness interviews, evidence and electronic data indicate Smith was at the Oak Ridge Lane scene shortly before a 911 call was made in reference to smoke coming from the house.

Smith is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center after a magistrate denied him bond Wednesday morning.

Smith is the former owner of Smith’s Towing in Winnsboro. He was recently living in the Blythewood area.

Donovan Ryan Holman, 33, of Lexington, is wanted on charges related to the case, according to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

This story was originally published in The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County, https://www.blythewoodonline.com/.