CHARLESTON, W.Va.–Three men pleaded not guilty in Kanawha County Circuit Court Wednesday to the murder of a man at a Motel 6 in Cross Lanes.
The suspects, 25-year-old Marcus Curtis of Dunbar, 22-year-old Shayla Stephenson of Charleston, and 27-year-old Terrick Hogan of St. Albans, are all charged with first degree murder, first degree robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony. Police were called to the motel Sunday afternoon after a maid discovered Kevin Casdorph dead in his room.
Police say the murder began as just a robbery of several thousand dollars, and that the victim and all three suspects may be lifelong friends, or at least were acquainted with each other. Curtis is accused of actually pulling the trigger, going into the room with the gun to scare Casdorph into handing over his money, and shooting him when Casdorph tried to take his gun. Police say the other two remained in the car.
According to police, the three spotted Casdorph with money at Mardi Gras Casino on Saturday night, when they conspired to rob him. The incident is not suspected to have been drug related.
All three suspects are being held without bail at South Central Regional Jail. Stephenson and Curtis will stand trial July 27.