With a suppression case in one with similar circumstances now decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, the state has set a trial date for a Roanoke Rapids man accused of killing an elderly woman by setting fire to a trailer in 2007.

Halifax County District Attorney Melissa Pelfrey told Superior Court Judge Alma Hinton today she intends to try Anthony Bernard Perkins November 1.

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office in May, 2007, charged Perkins, 33 at the time, murder, first-degree arson and three counts of attempted murder in the death of 68-year-old Margaret Dabbs.

Three other occupants managed to survive the fire on Davie School Road without injuries.

Investigators from the sheriff's office, the State Bureau of Investigation and state Alcohol Law Enforcement examined physical evidence and interviewed several people in the case which led to the arrest and confession of Perkins.

Investigation revealed that Katrina Dabbs, the victim's daughter, at one time had a relationship with Perkins and lived with him at some point.

The fire was set inside the trailer in the center of the room when its occupants were asleep.

Katrina Dabbs was awakened by the smell of smoke and when she went to investigate, found a portion of the mobile home on fire.

Katrina Dabbs, her child and another occupant were able to get out. An attempt to go back in the house to rescue her mother failed because fire was consuming the entire mobile home.