Pittsylvania County teen pleads not guilty to stabbing mother to death, setting house on fire

PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – The case against a Pittsylvania County teen charged with first-degree murder and arson is moving forward.

Jacob Tharpe, 17, has pleaded not guilty to stabbing his mother to death last December and then setting the family's home on fire with her inside.

According to court documents, the family was originally from the New York area and Tharpe may have been upset that the family wouldn't move back.

He is scheduled to go to trial Dec. 4.