A man has been arrested and charged with murder and tampering with evidence in connection to an August stabbing in Ironton.

James Franklin Wilson had been suspected of the stabbing death of his stepfather, Harold Taylor, 52, on Aug. 21 after the two got into a fight in the middle of Ninth Street near Taylor’s home.

Taylor was found lying in the street bleeding and Wilson fled the scene.

Investigators met with Wilson about what happened soon after the fight. The case against Wilson was sent to special grand jury, which on Monday returned an indictment for murder, an unclassified felony, and third-degree felony tampering with evidence.

Wilson was arrested at his house in the 600 block of North Sixth Street at 8:30 p.m. on Monday by the Ironton Police Department and taken to the Lawrence County Jail.

Ironton Police Detective Capt. Joe Ross said he couldn’t give specifics on the tampering with evidence charge but that the definition of it is to hamper or conceal something from investigators.

“He obstructed an investigation of the police department,” was all Ross would say since the investigation is still continuing.

Ross said they have not re-interviewed Wilson yet since he has obtained the services of an attorney.

A family member told The Tribune that Taylor “had problems for years” with his stepson and they had arguments before, including a fight a week before the stabbing when Wilson allegedly “stomped” Taylor in the ribs.

Ross said that both sides of the families have reported that the two men had fights over the years.

“There have been several altercations in the past, so this is not a first time thing. Since they were related, this would be considered a domestic issue,” Ross said.

Taylor was transported to King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky, but died of his injuries. His body was been sent to Frankfort, Kentucky for an autopsy, since he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

“We are waiting for the autopsy report to come back from Kentucky so we can release the official cause of death of Harold Taylor,” Ross said.

Anyone with information about this case can call Ironton Police Detective Captain Joe Ross at 740-532-5606.