CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A quadruple-murder case will remain under state jurisdiction after the U.S. Attorney’s office opted not to prosecute a Fairmont man for the July 26 killings.
Sidney Muller, 27, of Fairmont, is charged with killing Clarksburg residents Christopher Hart, 26, and Todd Russell Amos, 29, along with Freddy Donald Swiger, 70, and his son, Fred Swiger, 47, of Harrison County.
The first two victims are believed to have died in a drug deal. The Swigers were newspaper carriers delivering the Clarksburg Exponent outside the house on Locust Street where the drug killings occurred. The Swigers were shot as Muller exited the residence.
“The facts of the investigation as they have developed do not completely satisfy the elements of the relevant federal statute in order to make this a federal homicide case,” said Harrison County Prosecutor Joe Shaffer. “Therefore, the case will remain a quadruple, first-degree, state murder case.”
Shaffer made the announcement after meeting with representatives of U.S. Attorney Bill Ihlenfeld’s office.
Muller underwent a court ordered mental evaluation. Shaffer said the results of the evaluation will be sealed, but expected the judge in the case will find Muller competent to stand trial on the charges.