LEWISBURG, W.Va. — A Charmco man charged in a death involving a compound hunting bow was convicted of voluntary manslaughter Friday.
Carl Wayne Rich, 25, initially was charged with first degree murder after 29-year-old Jeffery “Jay” Andrew Boothe, Jr. of Orient Hill died at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center a few hours after being struck by an arrow at a home in the Crichton area of Greenbrier County in June 2018.
During the trial, defense attorneys argued Rich had not intended to kill Boothe but rather to threaten him by pointing the weapon at him, after accusing Boothe of stealing a cell phone belonging to Rich. According to previous statements made by Rich, he became startled by a sudden movement by Boothe, causing Rich to stumble and accidentally fire the weapon, striking Boothe in the torso.
During testimony, a witness said the phone later was found at a home belonging to a friend of Rich.
Rich reportedly admitted to investigators he had been using methamphetamine on the day of the incident.
The jury deliberated for about six hours before reaching a verdict.