The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

March 7, 2013

Arson suspect charged with attempted murder

By Wendy Holdren Register-Herald Reporter

HINTON — Hinton arson suspect Billy Joe Gill is now also charged with two counts of attempted murder, according to the Summers County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The charges were listed in indictments handed up Wednesday by the Summers County grand jury.

Gill, 25, of Hinton is suspected of starting two fires in downtown Hinton around 1 a.m. Feb. 26, one in a two-story structure on Fifth Street and a second which burned a row of apartment buildings on Temple Street known as “the brick row.”

He was charged with two counts of first degree arson just hours later. Prosecuting Attorney Amy Mann was not immediately available for comment on the additional charges.

An estimated 30 people were displaced from their residences.

Gill waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Summers County Magistrate Court Friday.

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The following individuals were indicted this week by the Summers grand jury:

Melvin Lee Stanley Jr. of Alderson, domestic battery, third or subsequent offense; petit larceny.

Roger Hurley of Jumping Branch, grand larceny; unlawful assault.

Charlotte Lynn Hamrick of Clintonville, attempt to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.

Lakisha Janine Bond of Beckley, first degree robbery.

Arnold Darrell Ransom II of Beaver, driving under the influence, third offense; fleeing in a vehicle while driving under the influence; driving revoked for driving under the influence, second offense.

Daniel Boone McCoy of Hinton, fraudulent disposition of personal property in possession by virtue of lease; conspiracy to commit fraudulent disposition of personal property in possession by virtue of lease; filing a false police report.

Alex Joseph Cline of Pipestem, bringing stolen property into the state; conspiracy to bring stolen property into the state.

Autumn Michelle Coy of Hudson, Fla., conspiracy to bring stolen property into the state.

Angela Dawn Holly of Nallen, forgery, five counts; uttering, five counts.

Billy Joe Gill of Hinton, first degree arson, two counts; attempted murder, two counts.

John Benjamin Webb of Pipestem, grand larceny; domestic battery.

Seth Bragg of Nimitz, grand larceny.

Ronald Eugene Ward of Hinton, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Reba Grimmett of Sandstone, forgery; uttering.

William Ray Prince of Beckley, failure to provide notice of registration changes, nine counts.

Juan Lee Williams of Hinton, failure to provide notice of registration changes, eight counts.

Mary Ellen McGuire of Hinton, failure to provide notice of registration changes, six counts.

Ralph Shaun New of Hinton, grand larceny.

Keith Allen Dement of Jumping Branch, possession of a firearm by prohibited person; first degree sexual assault, four counts; first degree sexual abuse; sexual abuse by a parent or guardian, five counts.

Dakota Jack Grimmett of Jumping Branch, burglary; grand larceny.

Lindsay June Clere of Charmco, burglary.

Travis Ray Carver of Montcalm, grand larceny.

Bobby Gene Ayers of Sandstone, delivery of a controlled substance.

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