HAMPTON, Va. - A honeymooning couple was to return Wednesday night to find their home had been set on fire while they were away, and that police arrested the best man at their wedding and charged him with setting the blaze.
Joseph Overton, 27, was charged with burning and destroying a dwelling and manufacturing and use of an explosive device, Fire Marshal Rick Rickett said.
He would not say what the motive was, but said it was not racially driven. Del. Thomas Gear, R-Hampton, the bride's father, had feared the blaze could have been a hate crime.
The house belonged to the former Shannon Gear, 32, who is white, and her new husband, Anthony Williams, who is black. Overton also is black, Rickett said.
The couple were honeymooning in Mexico. They were due home late Wednesday.
The Daily Press of Newport News reported Wednesday that fire investigators discovered a beer bottle containing a wick and a cigarette butt at the scene.
Del. Gear said the couple married Saturday, toasted by 200 guests.
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