Tag: Brandon Lee Fitzpatrick

Life Sentence for Man in W.Va. Coal Exec's Death

A second man has been sentenced to life in prison with the chance of parole after 15 years in the fatal shooting of a coal executive at a West Virginia cemetery.

News outlets report Mingo Circuit Judge Miki Thompson handed down the sentence Thursday for 20-year-old Brandon Lee Fitzpatrick, of Louisa, Kentucky. Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty last month in the killing of Bennett K. Hatfield, who was shot while visiting his wife’s gravesite in May 2016.

Fitzpatrick admitted he was with 22-year-old Anthony Raheem Arriaga, of Delphos, Ohio, when Arriaga killed Hatfield in a scheme to steal his GMC Yukon Denali and sell its parts. Arriaga was sentenced in December after being convicted of murder, robbery and conspiracy.

Prosecutor Duke Jewell said Fitzpatrick came up with the scheme to kill Hatfield and steal his vehicle. He said Arriaga shot Hatfield but panicked and failed to steal the vehicle.

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.

Coal Exec Shooting Death Cases Heading to Grand Jury

A suspect has waived his preliminary hearing in the fatal shooting of an ex-coal CEO at a southern West Virginia cemetery.

Twenty-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 SUV 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.

Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Former Coal Executive's Death

A suspect has pleaded not guilty in the fatal shooting of a former coal chief executive at a southern West Virginia cemetery.

Eighteen-year-old Brandon Fitzpatrick of Louisa, Kentucky, entered the plea to first-degree murder and conspiracy charges at his arraignment Monday in Mingo County Circuit Court. He was ordered held without bond.

Another suspect, 20-year-old Anthony Arriaga of Delphos, Ohio, was arraigned May 26 on a first-degree murder charge.

The body of 59-year-old Bennett Hatfield was found May 25 at a cemetery where he had been visiting his wife’s grave. His SUV was found nearby. Authorities believe Arriaga and Fitzpatrick plotted to steal Hatfield’s SUV and sell its parts.

Hatfield resigned in 2015 as president and CEO of Patriot Coal.

Weekend Arrangements Set for Slain West Virginia Coal CEO

Slain coal executive Bennett Hatfield will be buried this weekend in southern West Virginia.

His obituary says friends can visit the family at River Ridge Church in Charleston on Saturday evening.

The funeral will be Sunday afternoon at the Regional Church of God at Delbarton.

The 59-year-old will be buried at Mountain View Memory Gardens in Maher, where he was found dead Monday.

Police say two men charged in Hatfield’s death wanted to steal his vehicle and sell it.

Authorities say Hatfield was visiting his wife’s gravesite at the graveyard when he was shot and killed. His SUV was found nearby.

Twenty-year-old Anthony Arriaga and eighteen-year-old Brandon Lee Fitzpatrick are charged with first-degree murder.

Hatfield resigned last year as president and CEO of Patriot Coal.

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