Longtime friend charged in Cleveland hotel New Year’s killing

Harold Montgomery and Russell Brown

A man sought by police turned himself in Monday, hours after his childhood friend was found dead of multiple stab wounds at a Cleveland, Tenn., Days Inn.

Russell Brown, 36, is charged with aggravated arson and first-degree murder in connection with the New Year’s Day killing of Harold Lee Montgomery, 39, according to Cleveland police.

Robert Johnson, Brown’s uncle and a retired Bradley County deputy, said his nephew asked him for help.

“He called me and said he wanted to turn himself in and wanted me to be with him,” said Johnson.

Johnson said Brown came to his house at about 11 p.m. Sunday and was arrested there shortly after midnight.