YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Matthew Morgan, 17, sits in the York County jail charged with setting the fire that killed his 14-month-old brother. Deputies believe he did it to kill him.
"I could tell when I saw his mug shot that he was crying," said Morgan's aunt Josie Morgan, also 17.
"He's more like a brother to me, and I know he's not capable of hurting someone else, especially a child," she said.
PHOTOS: Scene of deadly York County fire
On Wednesday afternoon, the trailer on Catawba Church Road outside Rock Hill is boarded up, and still wrapped with crime scene tape. The body of Josh Hill was found inside the home Friday morning. Flames gutted the trailer.
Family members tell Channel 9 that Morgan suffers from learning disabilities and gets nervous and frightened easily. They believe he would have said anything under hours of police questioning, out of fear.
"He can barely write his own name," his grandmother Deborah Morgan said. "I do not believe he set any fire. They railroaded him.They badgered him, questioning him by himself, for so many hours."
"The family doesn't need to go through this kind of living hell," said Morgan's grandfather Robert. "My daughter right now is basically losing two sons, not just one."
Josie Morgan said Matt had prayed for a little brother since he was little himself.
RAW: Aunt of teen accused in fatal fire speaks to Channel 9
"Getting Josh was the happiest day of his life," she said.
She doesn't believe he committed such a heinous crime, and said his statement to police couldn't be accurate.
"He was still in shock, and he had no idea what he was saying. He was just talking out of his head," she said.
Sheriff's deputies did not release any additional information about the case on Wednesday. They have not discussed a possible motive for the killing or explained how the fire was set.
Morgan's grandmother believes it was an accident. She said the family still had a Christmas tree up and oil heaters in the house as well. She believes one of the pillows might have fallen against the heater.
"He wouldn't do this to his little brother. He wouldn't," she said.
Neighbors said during the fire they saw the teen trying to get his brother out of the house, trying to help him.
Channel 9 also spoke to Myke Hill, the father of Josh who died in the fire.
"I can't believe Matthew did this, and frankly no one in the family, even extended family believes it," he said.
Deborah Morgan told Channel 9 about a statement made that suggested Morgan had started a small fire in the trailer about two weeks ago. She said she has visited the home since, and saw no evidence of such a fire.
PAST COVERAGE:
- Officials: Teenager arrested after half-brother dies in fire
- Coroner: 14-month-old boy dies in York County mobile home fire
WSOC
