CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Kanawha County man has pleaded guilty to second degree murder in connection with the shooting death of another man in South Charleston last year.
De’Anthony Thornabar, 21, of South Charleston, entered into a guilty plea Tuesday in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
The shooting happened in Sept. 2016. Thornabar allegedly shot and killed Dylan Bailey, 20, following a fight at Oakes Field in South Charleston.
Thornabar admitted to the crime during his pre-trial court hearing Tuesday.
“The victim’s brother contacted me and challenged me to a fight,” Thornabar told Judge Jennifer Bailey. “I got into a physical altercation with Dylan Bailey and he got the better of me and I used a firearm on him.”
Robert Ruffin, 17, was also charged in connection with Bailey’s death. Prosecutors said they believe Ruffin provided Thornabar with the handgun at the time of the shooting.
Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Don Morris said Bailey was shot after he walked away from the argument.
“Dylan Bailey was walking away from the fight when the defendant obtained a firearm from Mr. Ruffin and shot Mr. Bailey in the back with a .40 caliber semi automatic handgun causing his death,” Morris told the court.
Both Thornabar and Ruffin were arrested in May. Their cases were scheduled to go to trial next month.
Ruffin’s new trial date is set for Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. in Kanawha County Circuit Court. His pre-trial hearing is on Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.
Sentencing for Thornabar is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m. The judge said that date may change pending results from a psychological exam.