Milwaukee man charged in fatal apartment fire

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – A Milwaukee man is facing charges in connection to a deadly apartment fire.

According to a criminal complaint, Michael Harris is facing charges for first degree intentional homicide and arson of a building.

Court documents state authorities were called to the apartment near 91st and Swan on May 8 around 8:25 a.m.

Firefighters found a victim who was deceased in the building. A criminal complaint states the victim had trauma to his head and abdomen.

No one else was found in the building.

The victim was identified as 74-year-old Robert Feldner. He lived in the apartment above Harris.

Court documents state Harris suffers from mental illness. His brother, who lives with him, received a call on May 8. Harris tried to get Feldner to talk on the phone but he was only mumbling. Harris’ brother told police he believed Harris deliberately hurt Felder. Video surveillance caught Harris pumping gasoline into a pail the morning of the fire. Soon after, smoke can be seen.

After conducting an autopsy, doctors believe Felder was killed before the apartment was set on fire.

Harris faces life in prison.