BECKLEY, W.Va. — The case of Dwayne Michael Lane, 47 of Beckley, is now heading to a Raleigh County grand jury after he waived his second hearing Friday morning.
The scheduled hearing was on charges of kidnapping, domestic battery and child neglect. Lane waived his first hearing, scheduled for October 16, for first degree murder and arson charges.
An earlier attempted murder charge was dropped when the victim, Belinda Cox, 48, died from her injuries at a Pittsburgh burn center on October 4.
The incident occurred at around 1 a.m. on September 17 at Cox’s Earle Street residence. Lane and Cox, who were engaged, reportedly got into an altercation.
Lane allegedly poured gasoline on Cox in the front yard before lighting her on fire. Two juveniles who witnessed the crime called 911, saying their mother was set on fire by “Mr. Mike”.
The case will go to the January session of the grand jury. He will be represented by Charleston attorney Matthew Victor. Lane is being held at Southern Regional Jail in Raleigh County without bond.