Sgt. Darrin Campbell with suspect Chris Cox followed by Trooper Doug
Starcher enter Calhoun courthouse for arraignment this morning
(Hur Herald Photo)
Nineteen-year-old Christopher Dallas Cox of Spencer was arraigned before Calhoun Magistrate Richard Postalwait yesterday and charged with first degree murder.
Cox is charged in the shooting and stabbing death of Russell Metz, age 49. Cox's relationship to Metz has been unclear, but sources say Metz was Christopher Cox's birth father's cousin.
Cox is adopted
He was taken to Central Regional Jail where he is being held without bond.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 13. Shannon Baldwin has been
appointed as his attorney.
Neighbors reported Cox had been in a dispute with his uncle prior to the
murder and Metz had ordered Cox off the property.
Body was discovered by authorities in this large four-story
dwelling (described as a camp) near U. S. 33-119
(Hur Herald Photo)
Metz moved into the dwelling about three months ago. The
structure is jointly owned by family members.
The house where the murder occured is up a driveway just off U. S. 33-119 at Pink Road, about
one-tenth mile from the Calhoun-Roane county line.
Cox was taken into custody by Sgt. Darrin Campbell and the West Virginia
State Police following an all-night investigation of the crime scene.
The Spencer Police Department learned about the murder after Cox's mother,
Christine Cox, called authorities.
She said her son was in a distraught condition suffering from a wound to his arm. She took him to Roane General Hospital where he was treated.
Police recovered Metz's truck in possession of Cox.
Ms. Cox said her son had been staying with friends in Calhoun following his graduation.
"He was a caring kid," she said. "Now, two families lives have been ruined."
Friends said he was a popular and quiet kid while at Calhoun High School.
See earlier stories on Hur Herald.
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