ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702240030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: WILLIS
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A capital murder charge was filed Friday against one of two West Virginia men arrested Wednesday in connection with the robbery-slaying of a Floyd County man.
Stanley Harmon Sr., 38, died after being shot in the head, according to Lt. Jim Ruhland of the Virginia State Police. Authorities discovered Harmon's body in his home Wednesday morning.
Floyd County Commonwealth's Attorney Gino Williams said West Virginia State Police arrested Mark Anthony Beavers, 18, of Quinwood, W.Va., and Jerry Wayne McKinney, 20, of Rupert, W.Va., late Wednesday. Floyd County officials originally charged both men with one count of auto theft after police had reports of the men driving Harmon's missing car.
Williams said further investigation led to Beavers being charged Friday with capital murder, robbery, grand larceny of a gun and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Beavers could face the death penalty if the state can prove he was the triggerman.
Additional charges against McKinney include being an accessory after the fact to capital murder - which carries a maximum punishment of life in prison. He was also charged with robbery and grand larceny of a gun.
Williams said both suspects knew Harmon. The murder weapon has not been determined because forensics tests have yet to be completed. The only gun being looked at, however, is a .22-caliber rifle that the men are charged with taking from Harmon's home.
Beavers is being held without bond in the Floyd County Jail. McKinney remains in the Floyd County Jail under a $100,000 bond, Williams said. No court date has been set in the case, Williams said.
Harmon, a master carpenter, worked for Willis Woodworks. The small company specializes in custom cabinetry, according to part-owner Skip Morgan.
Morgan said Harmon was an extremely soft-spoken man who never got upset. Harmon worked for the Willis business for about seven years, Morgan said.
"He was really good at what he did," Morgan said.
Harmon grew up in Greenbrier County, W.Va., where most of his family still lives. His funeral will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle, W.Va.
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