CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The man who prosecutors call “the architect” of a plan to rob and kill his friend inside a Cross Lanes hotel last year has pleaded guilty to first degree murder.
Terrick Hogan, 28, was the last of three defendants Tuesday to enter a guilty plea in Kanawha County Circuit Court. Kalvin Casdorph was shot to death at the Motel 6 in January 2015.
Marcus Curtis, of Dunbar, and Shayla Stephenson, of St. Albans, have already pleaded guilty to charges connected to Casdorph’s death.
Curtis previously told the judge he shot Casdorph twice in the head and then ran off with more than $3,000 from Casdorph’s pants. He said he then sped off in a car with Hogan and Stephenson. Before that, Hogan and Casdorph had been gambling at the Mardi Gras Resort and Casino where Casdorph won the money.
“The robbery of Mr. Casdorph was 100 percent orchestrated by Mr. Hogan. He solicited Mr. Curtis to do the robbery via text message that day,” Akers told Kanawha County Circuit Judge Charles King.
But Hogan told the judge he only wanted to steal money from Casdorph, not shoot him.
“I never intended for anything of this magnitude to occur,” Hogan told King.
“You just intended the robbery to take place?” King asked.
“Yes, sir,” Hogan responded.
Earlier this year, Hogan backed out of a plea deal he had made with prosecutors. He was also in the process of switching lawyers.
Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutors Maryclaire Akers said Casdorph’s mother, who was in court Tuesday, knew all three defendants because they were friends. She said the mother has been extremely patient.
“She’s been one of the most forgiving relatives of a victim that I’ve ever had,” Akers said. “She is not happy with Terrick and his refusal to take responsibility up to this point. She’s gone through a lot.”
Hogan faces life in prison with mercy when he’s sentenced Tuesday afternoon. He would be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
Curtis is also scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday.