Possible plea deal expected in Catawba County arson, murder case

MAIDEN, N.C. — Nicholas Smith may be taking a plea deal as soon as Wednesday in the 2017 killing of Wes Bruner Jr., our partners at the Hickory Daily Record reported.

[Father, son arrested in connection with Newton man's slaying]

Smith is accused of robbing and killing his cousin, then setting a house on fire to cover up the crime.

Bruner’s remains were found inside the burned-out Maiden home in August of that year.

Investigators said he was shot in the head before the fire was set.

Smith's two teenage sons, and Bruner's cousin, Riley Henderson, also face charges in the case.

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Cox Media Group