Maximum sentence in Huntington murder case

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A man was sentenced Friday to maximum 40 years in prison after he punched a man several times causing his 2016 death at a Huntington night club.

Hayden Drakes

Hayden Drakes, 24, of Huntington, was convicted last December on a charge of second-degree murder. He hit Brett Powell, 26, several times during an altercation on March 13, 2016 on the patio of Club Deception.

Prosecutors said Drakes became angry with Powell because he wouldn’t leave Drakes or the group he was with alone. Drakes punched Powell and then left with his friends. Powell died later.

Drakes apologized to Powell’s family during Friday’s sentencing hearing. He said he never intended for him to die.

Drakes’ attorney has already filed an appeal.





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