Thursday, February 14, 2013

Suspect in West Virginia murder arrested in Mingo County

PINEVILLE, W.Va. -- A man wanted in connection with a murder in Wyoming County was caught and arrested in Mingo County early Wednesday morning.

The Sheriff's Office says John New, 20, of Brier Creek, was arrested in the Gilbert area.

New is being charged with first-degree murder, grand larceny and daytime robbery.
Elaine Birchfield, 60, of Mill Creek, was found dead in her home Tuesday night.

Investigators say New was inside Birchfield's house when she came home Tuesday evening and interrupted a robbery. They say New killed Birchfield and then fled in her truck.

Gilbert Police officers saw the truck early Wednesday morning, stopped it and arrested New.

A cause of death has not been released.

Birchfield was a bus driver for Wyoming County Schools.