Dewey Brooks is being held without bond awaiting first appearance in court June 7

Brooks charged with first degree murder

Duane Edgar “Dewey” Brooks was arrested on May 24 and charged with first degree murder in the death of his son, 31-year-old Benjamin Howard Hartman, according to warrants filed by Capt. Carlton Edwards of the Alleghany Sheriff’s Department.

The warrant was filed for Brooks’ arrest on May 24 and was served that same day, but the warrant was not available for public inspection until it was filed at the Alleghany County Clerk of Court’s Office on Wednesday.

Brooks, 55, is alleged to have killed and buried his son on a piece of property on which both men lived at 1040 White Pine Rd. That small, unpaved rural road connects to Jarvis Road, which connects to N.C. 18 north of Sparta. Hartman had been separated from his biological father from a young age and took the name of his stepfather. He lived in Spencerville, Ohio prior to coming here in November 2004 to try and build a relationship with his father.

Brooks lived in a camper trailer on the property, while Hartman lived in a mobile home that was partially demolished.

According to information provided by Sheriff Mike Caudill, Brooks told authorities that his son threatened him with an AK 47, leading him to shoot him with a .32 caliber pistol he had in his pickup. Brooks told authorities that his son then went into his camper to attempt to get another rifle when he shot him again, killing him.

Edwards said inconsistencies in the evidence and Brooks’ story led to the charges.

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