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Cops and Courts

ME, forensics scientists testify in murder trial

KINGWOOD — The second day of the Luis Martinez-Otero, murder trial started with testimony from Dr. Allen Muck, West Virginia’s chief medical examiner. Martinez is charged with the May 2022 shooting of Zachary Alan Shrout at his home on Veterans Memorial Highway in Terra Alta. Muck said the bullet that killed Shrout entered through his left eye, damaging the left hemisphere of Shrout’s brain. Muck said the bullet was not a through and through, but he found the bullet fragment in Shrout’s head. Muck also testified that Shrout had taken breaths after being shot. Brandon ...

Justice helicopter for sale

Are you in the market for a helicopter previously owned by the family business of Gov. Jim Justice? If so, your big break could be just over the horizon. A 2009 Bell 427 that has been the subject of a dispute over the past few months is now listed publicly for sale. “Two Owners Since New, No Damage History, Complete Aircraft Record Since New, Bell Service Center Maintained.” Potential buyers would have to call or email for the price. The helicopter went on the market to help settle at least a portion of a debt dispute that unfolded in federal court. On March 1, a ...

WVU to offer self-defense training to students, faculty and staff

If danger presented itself, would you be able to recognize a threat and have the confidence to defend yourself?  The West Virginia University Police Department is hoping to provide a little extra confidence for those lacking — or hoping to refine — their self-defense ...

Police: Speed, aggressive driving factors in fatal Jan. 3 crash

Speed and aggressive driving were in play during a Jan. 3 multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 79 that took the lives of two people, police say. According to criminal complaints, a joint investigation conducted by the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department and its crash ...

Pennsylvania man charged in fatal I-79 crash

A Pennsylvania man has been charged with two counts of negligent homicide and one count of reckless driving with injury following the investigation into a fatal accident on Interstate 79 the morning of Jan. 3. Zaquan George, 21, and Margaret “Maggie” Erdie, 19, were pronounced dead at ...

Ohio man flees after allegedly shoplifting generator

A misdemeanor shoplifting turned into felony fleeing charges for an Ohio man in Monongalia County.  Granville Police Sgt. R. Kerns was dispatched to the Harbor Freight Tools at University Town Centre Friday morning for a reported shoplifting.  The suspect, later identified as ...