CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The Lumberport woman charged with murder in the death of her partner of 16 years was among the 79 indictments returned by a Harrison County grand jury Wednesday.
Melissa Anne McAtee, 34, was arrested Jan. 11 in the shooting death of David Cottrill. The incident happened around 8:40 p.m. at their home on Cottrill Lane.
Cottrill’s mother, who was allegedly at the home when the shooting occurred, testified during McAtee’s probable cause hearing. She said McAtee had gotten a rifle from a cabinet and removed a bullet from the gun prior to the weapon going off.
Cottrill said four children were also present in the home at the time of the incident.
McAtee remains jailed without bail on the murder charge.
Also indicted was Heidi Dawn Dodd, 23, of Hepzibah, was indicted on three charges of wonton endangerment after firing shots at Harrison County Sheriff’s deputies who responded to an Aug. 8, 2017 domestic dispute at her home.
Sheriff Robert Matheny had said his deputies were approaching the home when gunshots came from inside. The deputies were able to take cover and did not fire back. No injuries were incurred.
Also, Zac Blaine Wilson, 25, of Parkersburg, was indicted on various charges relating to an Oct. 26, 2017 shoplifting turned police pursuit incident in the cities of Clarksburg and Bridgeport.
The vehicle was exceeding 100 mph by the time the pursuit reached U.S. 50. Wilson then lost control of the vehicle, striking a curb and a tree before colliding with a Bridgeport Police Department cruiser, at which point he then ran into the woods.
Wilson is charged with one count fleeing in a vehicle from law enforcement causing bodily injury, one count fleeing in a vehicle from law enforcement showing reckless indifference for the safety of others, one count fleeing from law enforcement by means other than a vehicle, one count fleeing from law enforcement in a vehicle causing property damage and one count shoplifting.
Brian Scott Northcraft, 33, of Sistersville, was also indicted, facing one count attempt to escape custody and one count destruction of property. Northcraft, an inmate at North Central Regional Jail, broke out of a transport van while being taken to United Hospital Center in Bridgeport in November 2017.
Arraignments will be held May 18 and 19 in front of Harrison County Circuit Judge Chris McCarthy.