CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A man who was originally charged with malicious wounding in Kanawha County has had those charges upgraded to first degree murder.
State Police filed the new charge against William Cobb, 72, of Ansted, in the death of Billy Wayne Palmer. Cobb and Palmer got into a fight June 5th on Cobb’s property in an area near Glasgow.
Troopers said the fight stemmed from a pop-up canopy which Palmer had erected on the property. Witnesses told State Police Palmer turned his back on Cobb and was struck in the head with a blunt object. Palmer was beaten multiple times around the face and head and suffered severe lacerations and head trauma. Witnesses said he was struck at least six times even after falling to the ground and curling up.
According to the criminal complaint., Cobb told troopers after he had been read his Miranda rights he intended to kill Palmer and planned to bury him on the property.
Cobb remained in the South Central Regional Jail without bond awaiting a preliminary hearing.