Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Alum Creek Man Pleads Guilty
WEST VIRGINIA....
Matthew Dewayne Turner, 26, of Alum Creek pleaded guilty Tuesday to the felony charges of unlawful wounding and wanton endangerment, while prosecutors dropped charges of first-degree robbery and attempted murder. Police say Turner shot 21 year old Nicholas Neophytou of Charleston in the head at the intersection of McClung and Elizabeth Streets last February 15th. Turner said he met Neophytou to collect a $4,000 debt for marijuana. Turner says the two men ended up in a struggle and both men grabbed for a handgun that fell from Neophytou's waistband. Turner said it discharged while he was holding it. Assistant Prosecutor Tera Salango says the state's evidence against Turner says the victim told police he went there to meet a man he knew only as "Cue." There was a struggle, and at that point the victim ran. Turner shot at him and chased him, and Turner was standing over top of the victim with the gun in his hand demanding the money. Turner asked to be sentenced immediately, but Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman requested a pre-sentence investigation. Kaufman will sentence Turner in March.
Matthew Dewayne Turner, 26, of Alum Creek pleaded guilty Tuesday to the felony charges of unlawful wounding and wanton endangerment, while prosecutors dropped charges of first-degree robbery and attempted murder. Police say Turner shot 21 year old Nicholas Neophytou of Charleston in the head at the intersection of McClung and Elizabeth Streets last February 15th. Turner said he met Neophytou to collect a $4,000 debt for marijuana. Turner says the two men ended up in a struggle and both men grabbed for a handgun that fell from Neophytou's waistband. Turner said it discharged while he was holding it. Assistant Prosecutor Tera Salango says the state's evidence against Turner says the victim told police he went there to meet a man he knew only as "Cue." There was a struggle, and at that point the victim ran. Turner shot at him and chased him, and Turner was standing over top of the victim with the gun in his hand demanding the money. Turner asked to be sentenced immediately, but Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman requested a pre-sentence investigation. Kaufman will sentence Turner in March.# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:34 PM 
