MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The fate of a man charged with first degree murder has been decided.
Jeremiah McKinley Martin Jr. plead guilty to the murder of Jesse James Loya. Monongalia County Circuit Judge Russell Clawges accepted Martin’s plea. Martin will serve life in prison and will be eligible for parole after 15 years.
Martin and Benjamin Louis Bradley forced their way into Loya’s home last March, which ended in a fatal gunshot in the back of Loya’s head. There were four gunshots on the early morning hours of March 31, 2016.
Two shots hit the walls of Loya’s living room walls, the fatal shot to Loya and one shot Kyle Brown, a friend of Loya, in the hand. Brown survived.
Martin was indicted for four charges: first degree murder, robbery, burglary and conspiracy. He was only charged with first degree murder and conspiracy, the other two indictments were dropped because of the plea deal.
The state rested the case after the testimony of several Morgantown Police Detectives who investigated the murder. Shortly after, Martin submitted his plea deal to Judge Clawges.
The trial for Bradley is set for later this year.