The man charged with killing three people in Fairmont nearly four decades ago is back in West Virginia after being arrested in Florida earlier this year, and another person has been linked to the crimes.
Eddie Jack Washington, 59, faces three murder charges in the deaths of Fairmont residents Guy Lester Phillips, 20, his wife, Wanda Jane Phillips, 19, and Billy Ray Cobb, 27.
According to a criminal complaint filed Thursday, Phillip Reese Bush acted with Washington to shoot and kill the three victims. Bush has not been officially charged. Prosecuting Attorney Pat Wilson declined to give more information about Bush.
“All I can say is the investigation is ongoing,” Wilson said. He has said additional charges could be filed. He also previously said more people could be charged in connection to the case. It’s unclear if Bush will be charged.
The well-known case happened on Aug. 2, 1974 at Windmill Park. The victims were shot execution-style, according to police.
Washington was arrested near Tampa Bay earlier this year. He waived his right to extradition and was returned to West Virginia late Wednesday night.
While Bush was named in the complaint, Washington remains the only person in custody.
“At this point, Mr. Washington is charged with three counts of homicide,” Wilson said. “The preliminary hearing then ultimately, perhaps, present it to a grand jury. We can’t really speak to the specifics of it yet.”
Police in several states assisted with the investigation. New information surfaced in Sept. 2012, leading to a revival in the investigation and Washington’s arrest.
The criminal complaint says information about Bush and Washington’s actions is based on “witness statements as well as Washington’s post Miranda admissions.”
Wilson declined comment when asked about Washington’s admissions to police.
A preliminary hearing has not yet been set.