PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – The murder trial for two men involved in the death of a Parkersburg man during a drug deal and robbery is now proceeding as two separate cases. Justin Keel and Donavon Tyler McCune were indicted in September 2022 for charges including murder, first-degree robbery, and conspiracy to commit a felony in the death of Terrance Mills Jr. The two men were initially set to go to trial together on Monday, Feb. 5 but will now face separate trials.
The incidents leading to the charges took place in May 2022 when a drug deal and robbery turned fatal, resulting in the death of Terrance Mills Jr. Dezaray Lynn Roberts of Vienna, who was involved in the incident, has already pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery in December 2022 as part of a plea agreement.
In a recent court hearing, the cases of Keel and McCune were severed by Wood County Circuit Judge Jason Wharton. The decision was based on concerns raised by McCune’s attorney, Courtney Craig, regarding the potential impact of jury bias in a joint trial and statements made by an individual incarcerated with McCune.
Keel’s attorney, J. Morgan Leach, did not join in the motion to sever the cases and moved to exclude Keel’s prior bad acts during the trial, which was granted by Judge Wharton. If any plea agreements were to be worked out, the court mandated that they must be submitted by a specified deadline.
The trial is scheduled to commence with the seating of a jury and possible opening arguments. However, the proceedings will not take place on Tuesday due to another case requiring Judge Wharton’s presence. The trial will resume on Wednesday and continue for the rest of the week, with McCune’s trial to be scheduled for a later date.
Both Keel and McCune are currently in custody at the North Central Regional Jail as they await their respective trials.