CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A suspect has waived his preliminary hearing in the fatal shooting of an ex-coal CEO at a southern West Virginia cemetery.
News outlets report 20-year-old Anthony Arriaga, of Delphos, Ohio, was in Mingo County Magistrate Court on Wednesday.
Eighteen-year-old Brandon Fitzpatrick, of Louisa, Kentucky, waived his hearing Tuesday. Both cases head to a September grand jury.
Fitzpatrick pleaded not guilty June 13 to first-degree murder and conspiracy charges. Arriaga’s lawyers pleaded not guilty May 26 on his behalf to a first-degree murder charge.
The body of 59-year-old Bennett Hatfield was found May 25 at a cemetery where he was visiting his wife’s grave. His sport utility vehicle was found nearby. Authorities believe Arriaga and Fitzpatrick plotted to steal Hatfield’s SUV and sell its parts.
Hatfield resigned in 2015 as Patriot Coal’s president and CEO.
