An automobile was the weapon of choice in an alleged assault Monday.
Warrants and arrest reports show Earl James Whitman Jr., 43, was processed into the county detention center at 2:41 p.m. He is charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and property damage, according to arrest reports. His address was listed as 119 Fairfield Dr. East, Whiteville.
Whitman is alleged to have used a Chevrolet Cavalier in an attempt to run over Mickey Ray Duncan and Jonathan Edward Sealey at a home on Thompson Town Road, reports show. He also damaged around $500 of livestock fence belonging to Tony Hobbs at the same location.
We have reached out to the sheriff’s office for more details.
Court records show Whitman was previously arrested on charges of possession of crystal methamphetamine. He was also arrested in 2024 after allegedly burning a rug, mattress and chairs at his mother’s residence and threatening to burn the home. Whitman also assisted in the arrest of a break-in suspect at his home in 2025, when his dog detained the suspect until law enforcement arrived.
