Charges in WJU student murder advance

WHEELING, W.Va. — The Ohio County grand jury is the next step for charges against two men who allegedly killed Wheeling Jesuit University student Kevin Figaniak.

Second-degree murder charges against Craig Peacock, 22, of Clewiston, Fla., and Jarrett Chandler, 24 of Winnfield, La., were forwarded Thursday afternoon by an Ohio County magistrate.

Peacock and Chandler have told police they got into a fight with Figaniak, 21, and another man in downtown Wheeling on Aug. 31 shortly after an argument.

WJU lacrosse player Kevin Figaniak died a day after the Aug. 31 fight.

Wheeling Police Dept. Detective Dan Holmes testified during Peacock’s preliminary hearing that both men admitted they were in the fight. They were also identified from surveillance video of the area. Holmes was the only witness at Thursday’s hearing.

The magistrate found there was enough evidence to forward charges against Peacock to the next grand jury. Chandler waived his preliminary hearing, which will also send the charges against him to the grand jury. The next grand jury is scheduled for January 2014.

Both men remain in the Northern Regional Jail on $1 million bail each.

Peacock and Chandler were working in the oil and gas business in the northern panhandle and were staying at a local campground. Police have been looking for one or two other men they believe were involved in the fight.

 





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