| Calhoun prosecutor Rocky Holmes told the Parkersburg News that the June, 2011 murder of John Cyrus, 48, by Thomas Lee Husk, 48, appears to be premeditated.
Husk shot Cyrus three times from his car after Cyrus persued him in another car to a dead-end hollow, saying that Cyrus came up his car and physically began striking him.
Husk was indicted on murder charges last week, and after being out on bond since the shooting, is now being held in Central Regional Jail on $100,000 bond.
Prosecutor Holmes told Parkersburg News reporter Jody Murphy that Husk told investigators he grabbed his 9 mm pistol and shot Cyrus three times while he remained seated in his vehicle.
Holmes said it appears Husk's actions were premeditated, based on statements from witnesses, according to the paper, and that Husk's assertion of being punched by Cyrus did not jive with eyewitness accounts and some evidence.
Holmes told the paper that Husk made statements that implied he was planning to kill Cyrus. He also said an eyewitness saw the two men wrestling for the gun before Cyrus was shot.
The prosecutor says that there was a lack of physical evidence to support the claim that Husk was punched in the head by Cyrus several times.
Cyrus' hands showed no redness, bruising or swelling that would indicate striking Husk. Holmes said officials were testing Cyrus' ring for Husk's DNA, says the news report.
Prosecutor Holmes denied a public information request from the Hur Herald regarding the case.
Three other individuals indicted for murder by a Calhoun Grand Jury last week were later arraigned in Calhoun Circuit Court before Judge David W. Nibert:
- Ashley K. Kreh, 21, of Mt. Zion, one count murder in 2nd degree; one count child abuse resulting in death.
- Ordie J. Rogers, 30, of Chloe, one count of murder in 2nd degree; one count of child neglect resulting in death.
- William Albert "Seth" Denmark, 24, of Orma, one count of murder.
Robert Taylor, Jr. 44, of Clay, was arraigned on one count of sexual assault in the 1st degree, a charge that says Taylor did unlawfully, feloniously engage in sexual intercourse...with a person younger than 12 years of age.
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