Magic Island murder case ends in third guilty plea

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Charleston man Pleaded guilty Monday to helping murder a man near Magic Island in Charleston last summer.

J.T. Thurmond, 27, admitted to a charge of second degree murder in the death of Martin Snodgrass. Snodgrass, 51, went to Magic Island on July 5 to collect aluminum cans when he got into an altercation with Thurmond and Anthony Harriman. Thurmond punched Snodgrass and they both kicked him. He was found dead in the Kanawha River.

Thurmond said in court Monday he was taking up for his girlfriend who had gotten a bloody lip after an encounter with Snodgrass when he was trying to sell her marijuana. But Erica Cogar pleaded guilty last week to making up a story that Snodgrass sexually assaulted her.

Thurmond will be sentenced May 20. He’ll face 10-40 years in prison. Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Michelle Drummond said the plea deal will allow her to put on evidence at sentencing against Thurmond.

Harriman, who previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder, will be sentenced May 13, Cogar’s sentencing is scheduled for May 27.