BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The trial date for the 2014 murder of Sylvia Jean Washington, 76, of Beckley has been set for July 6, 2021, according to Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield.
Jessica Lunceford, who had been caring for Washington at the time of her death, was formally charged with the murder in 2019, nearly five years after the fact. According to police reports, Washington’s died as “a result of violence” on April 15, 2014.
In March of 2019, Lunceford was granted bond and was placed on home confinement, where she has remained since then. After reviewing the case, Hatfield discovered that Lunceford owed more than $2,300 in home confinement arrears and had not made a payment since December of 2019.
Upon making the discovery, Hatfield filed a motion to revoke Lunceford’s home confinement which was granted by Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick under the caveat that if the arrears are paid in full, Lunceford’s defense counsel can make a motion to place her back under home confinement.
Since making the motion, Hatfield says a family member of Lunceford’s paid $250, which still leaves a reamining balance of $2,185. He says there have been no further moves to pay the fees.
In addition to the trial on July 6, Hatfield says two pretrial hearings have been set for June. He did not have exact dates.
Stay with Lootpress as this story develops.