Tag: Anthony Raheem Arriaga

Trial Begins for 2nd Man Accused in Coal Executive's Killing

A trial has begun for the second of two men accused in the 2016 deadly shooting of a West Virginia coal executive.

News outlets report Monday was the first trial day for 20-year-old Brandon Lee Fitzpatrick, a Kentucky man charged with offenses including first-degree murder in the death of 59-year-old Bennett K. Hatfield.

Mingo County Prosecutor Duke Jewell says Fitzpatrick and an Ohio man, 22-year-old Anthony Raheem Arriaga, killed Hatfield as part of a scheme to steal his vehicle and sell its parts. Hatfield was visiting his wife’s gravesite when he was shot.

Arriaga was convicted in October of first-degree murder, robbery and conspiracy. Arriaga is expected to get life in prison at his Dec. 12 sentencing.

Fitzpatrick’s defense attorney, Susan Van Zant, says Arriaga acted alone in killing Hatfield.

Jury Finds Man Guilty in Longtime Coal Exec's Killing

A jury on Friday convicted the accused trigger man in the 2016 fatal shooting of a longtime coal executive in West Virginia.

According to news outlets, 22-year-old Anthony Raheem Arriaga of Ohio was found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of conspiracy in the death of Bennett “Ben” Hatfield.

Hatfield, who resigned in 2015 as Patriot Coal’s president and CEO, was visiting his wife’s gravesite in Maher when he was shot.

A first-degree murder conviction carries a life prison sentence in West Virginia. Jurors were still deliberating whether Arriaga should be eligible to receive parole in 15 years.

In opening statements, Mingo County Prosecutor Duke Jewell said Arriaga told police he killed Hatfield in May 2016 in a plan to steal his SUV and sell it for parts.

Arriaga’s attorney, Jane Moran, countered in court that authorities didn’t investigate if accused co-conspirator 20-year-old Brandon Fitzpatrick, of Kentucky, could have shot Hatfield.

The case was handed over to jurors on the fifth day of the trial. The jury returned with the conviction after about four and a half hours of deliberation.

Dennis Hatfield testified in court Tuesday about finding his brother’s body near a river next to the cemetery.

Arriaga had said he had been using drugs and had little sleep over several days.

In April, Arriaga pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges in April, but later withdrew his plea. He said at trial that Fitzpatrick was the one who shot the gun.

Fitzpatrick heads to trial on a murder charge next month.

Trial Delayed for Man Charged in Killing of Coal Executive

A judge has delayed the trial for one of two men charged in the fatal shooting of a former coal executive in southern West Virginia.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Miki Thompson granted a motion from the attorney for 22-year-old Anthony Raheem Arriaga asking for the delay. The trial is now set to start on Oct. 16.

Arriaga of Delphos, Ohio, and 19-year-old Brandon Fitzpatrick, of Louisa, Kentucky, are charged with murder in the May 2016 death of Bennett “Ben” Hatfield. Authorities say Hatfield was visiting his wife’s gravesite when he was shot. He resigned in 2015 as Patriot Coal’s president and CEO.

Prosecutors say the men killed Hatfield as part of a scheme to steal his vehicle and sell its parts.

Fitzpatrick’s trial is scheduled to start on Oct. 5.

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