A man suspected in a 2018 overdose death was arrested on a homicide charge Friday after being arrested and charged with lesser crimes in 2019, according to a Chattanooga Police Department news release.
Chattanooga police narcotics investigators arrested James Kelly Harbison, 53, on an additional charge of reckless homicide Friday in connection to the April 28, 2018, overdose death of Erik Patty, 37.
Harbison was previously charged in October 2019 with tampering with evidence and filing false reports.
During the course of the two-plus-year investigation, investigators obtained evidence that Harbison waited several hours before deciding to make an effort for emergency medical assistance. Harbison also altered the crime scene which contributed to the lengthy investigation, according to the news release.
Harbison is in custody at the Hamilton County Jail.