Associated Press Published

Trial Begins for Man Accused of War Mayor's Murder

Map of West Virginia with McDowell County highligted

The trial of a Virginia man charged with killing the mayor of War is underway in McDowell County Circuit Court.

The defendant is 28-year-old Earl Click of Grundy, Va.

Click is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 72-year-old War Mayor Thomas Hatcher.

 
City workers found Hatcher’s body in his home on July 17, 2012.

 
Click’s sister and co-defendant, 32-year-old Rebecca Hatcher, was acquitted of a murder charge in November. Judge Rudolph J. Murensky II declared a mistrial on a conspiracy charge. A retrial is scheduled next month.

Rebecca Hatcher was the mayor’s daughter-in-law.