SANDSTONE — An eastern Minnesota man faces murder and arson charges after a man’s body was discovered last month in a burned-out mobile home near Finlayson.

Robert Sam Raisch Jr. of Sandstone is charged with second-degree murder, arson and assault. He’s accused of beating 59-year-old James Shepardson before setting the mobile home on fire March 7.

An autopsy found Shepardson suffered skull fractures that would have been fatal, but a medical examiner determined he wasn’t yet dead when the fire filled the residence with toxic smoke.

Raisch made his initial appearance in court Tuesday. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 7.

A message seeking comment was left with his public defender Tuesday.