Man charged in 2015 Elkins murder to be tried separately on two other charges

ELKINS, W.Va. — The man accused of a murder outside of the Elkins Train Depot last year will be tried separately for the murder of Donovan Nicholson, 22, of Belington and the attempted murder of Timothy Summerfield.

Derek William Adamson, 37, was in court Thursday for a pre-trial motions hearing relating to a series of events on April 20 and April 21 in Elkins that lead to the death of Donovan Nicholson.

Judge David Wilmoth granted two motions to the defense, which severs two counts from the indictment to be dealt with separately.

Those two counts relate to an incident just before midnight on April 20 outside of the Mountaineer Mart on Davis Avenue. Adamson was charged with attempted first degree murder and wanton endangerment with a firearm after approaching a man named Timothy Summerfield outside of the store. Video surveillance shows the two men talking when Adamson pulls out a “silver in color” object and Summerfield ducking out of the way.

Adamson had apparently fired a round at Summerfield, but the gun jammed. He allegedly shook Summerfield’s hand and said, “Today wasn’t your day.”

Police responded to the call and talked with Adamson. They did not find a weapon on him at the time.

The other four counts of the indictment are all related to the murder of Nicholson.

After midnight on April 21, Adamson allegedly stole a gold Ford 500. Around 4 a.m., West Virginia State Police discovered Nicholson’s body. Adamson would later be arrested in Webster County. Adamson would allegedly confess to the murder last year.

Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker has until July 18 to determine which charges he will prosecute first.

Adamson will also be permitted to wear civilian clothes during his August 24 trial, which is expected to last three days.

Judge Wilmoth denied two other motions. The defense requested a venue survey to determine if a Randolph County population was already prejudiced against Adamson based on media coverage of the event. That motion was denied.

Judge Wilmoth denied a second motion asking for a formal, written count of the charges labeled by the prosecution that would have formalized what degree of murder the Prosecution would seek in court.

That motion was denied because jurors are expected to determine whether or not a murder was pre-meditated or not.

Adamson faces six charges in total. Jury selection begins August 3.





More News

News
PSC approves settlements involving Mon Power, net-metering cases
Rate increase went into effect Tuesday.
March 27, 2024 - 9:42 pm
News
Speakers at Focus Forward symposium discuss AI capabilities in West Virginia
The event was organized by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
March 27, 2024 - 8:30 pm
News
Justice vetoes vaccination exemption bill, draws praise from healthcare groups
Educational and healthcare organizations banded together to urge a veto.
March 27, 2024 - 6:35 pm
News
Testimony wraps up in attempt to remove 2 Jefferson County commissioners from office
Three-judge panel hears 2 days of testimony.
March 27, 2024 - 5:11 pm