Two charged in murder of homeless man

Columbus police have arrested two men in the murder of William Andrew Edwards, a homeless man found dead in his tent near Second Avenue a week ago.

Charged with the slaying that took place on July 26 are 20-year-old Daquon Tavez Chisholm and 28-year-old Brian Xavier Harris.

The two men had been arrested on various other charges the same day as the killing, according to police. They were booked into the Muscogee County Jail on that day.

This was the 10th homicide in Columbus this year.

Edwards, 56, died from blunt-force trauma to the head.

Police responded to a call at 1:18 a.m. on July 26 about a deceased person. Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley arrived on the scene and pronounced Edwards dead at 2:05 a.m.

The preliminary hearing in Columbus Recorder's Court is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Edwards, who used an oxygen machine, was a graduate of Baker High School. People who knew him attended a service in his memory on Saturday at Rose Hill United Methodist Church.

He was remembered by friends, ministers and former health care workers as a man who lived by his own rules.

Farah Halford, a volunteer at the church and organizer of the service, said Edwards grew up on a ranch and was a talented artist. He was married twice and both relationships ended in divorce. He was proud of working as a contract painter in Woodstock, Ga., where he led a crew of 10. Edwards also served in the Army and was an expert marksman.

The investigation into Edwards' death is ongoing. Police are asking that anyone with any knowledge of this crime to please contact Corporal D. Stokes at 706-225-4242 or the Robbery/Assault Unit at 706-653-3400.

This story was originally published August 2, 2015 at 10:02 PM with the headline "Two charged in murder of homeless man ."