COVINGTON, Ga. – The Covington man accused of killing a homeless man and setting his body on fire was bound over for trial today after a preliminary hearing at the Newton County Courthouse.

Benjamin Marcus Johnson, 38, is accused of killing 62-year-old Michael Williams May 6 and burning his body in a wooded area near Washington Road and Old Brown Bridge Road. He was arrested the same day after an intensive investigation by the Covington Police Department (CPD).

After testimony by CPD Detective Kara Hipps, Magistrate Court Judge John Degonia ruled there was sufficient evidence for Johnson’s prosecution to move forward.

Johnson is currently being held in the Newton County Jail charged with murder, concealing the death of another and first-degree arson.