Tag: Patriot Coal

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.

Trial Begins for Man Charged in Coal Executive's Killing

A trial began this week for the man accused of pulling the trigger in the 2016 fatal shooting of a longtime coal executive in West Virginia.

Mingo County Prosecutor Duke Jewell said in opening statements Monday that 22-year-old Anthony Raheem Arriaga of Ohio told police he killed Bennett K. Hatfield in a plan to steal his SUV and sell it for parts, news outlets reported.

One of Arriaga’s defense attorneys, Jane Moran, said that statement shouldn’t be interpreted as a confession because police didn’t detail the circumstances around it, and Arriaga had told police he didn’t want to be interviewed. Moran also said authorities didn’t investigate if 20-year-old Brandon Lee Fitzpatrick, who is also charged in the death, could have shot 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 in May 2016.

Jewell said Arriaga left a trail of evidence as he fled the graveyard on foot, after Fitzpatrick took off alone in Hatfield’s car.

“This is the cold-blooded murderer version of Hansel and Gretel,” Jewell said.

Arriaga pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges in April, but later withdrew his plea. He is charged with first-degree murder.

The trial began with jurors traveling by bus to view locations at the cemetery.

Fitzpatrick’s trial is scheduled for next month. He is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy.

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.

Fall Trials Set for 2 Charged in Killing of Coal Executive

Two men are headed to trial in the fatal shooting of a former coal executive in southern West Virginia.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that 22-year-old Anthony Raheem Arriaga of Ohio will head to trial Sept. 5 in the May 2016 death of Bennett Hatfield.

Brandon Fitzpatrick, a 19-year-old from Kentucky, will go to trial Oct. 5.

Both face first-degree murder charges. Fitzpatrick also faces a conspiracy charge.

Arriaga pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges in April, but later withdrew his plea.

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

Arriaga said they plotted to steal Hatfield’s SUV and sell its parts. Arriaga said he had been using drugs and had little sleep over several days.

12,500 Coal Retirees Told Health Plans Will End Without Bill

About 12,500 union coal miner retirees are receiving letters warning them they’ll lose their health benefits on Dec. 31 without congressional action.

The Patriot Voluntary Employee Beneficial Association shipped the letters last week. The United Mine Workers of America retirees worked at mines run by now-bankrupt Patriot Coal, Peabody Energy and Arch Coal.

The letters say the money will run out Dec. 31 unless Congress passes a bill expected to come up after the Nov. 8 election.

It would protect health care and pension benefits for about 120,000 former coal miners and their families amid the industry’s decline. Supporters call it a life-saving measure honoring a 70-year-old promise from the federal government.

Some Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, are wary of bailing out unionized workers.

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.

Exit mobile version