Wellsville man sentenced to life in Colliers murder
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WELLSBURG -- A Wellsville man has been sentenced to life in connection with the shooting death of 40-year-old Charles Jule Suter on Feb. 11.
Harley A. Gill, 28, received the sentence after entering a plea of guilty to second-degree murder before 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge Ronald Wilson on Friday.
While the usual sentence for the charge is 10 to 40 years in prison, Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Barki exercised a provision that allows those convicted of the crime to be sentenced to life if they have been convicted of at least two other felonies.
Gill was previously convicted of possession of a chemical used in manufacturing a controlled substance in Columbiana County and possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamines, with intent to deliver in Hancock County.
While state law allows Gill to be eligible for parole in 15 years, Barki made clear at Friday's hearing that he intends to oppose that.
Barki said Gill and Suter had been in a verbal altercation "over a girlfriend dispute" at Suter's Shreves Lane home on the day Suter was killed.
The prosecutor said Gill left the home but returned later, using a handgun to fire a round into the floor at Suter's door and then shooting Suter when he came to the door.
Barki said evidence against Gill included statements by multiple witnesses interviewed by Brooke County sheriff's deputies investigating the crime.
Arrested the following day, Gill also had been indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment for allegedly firing shots above the heads of others at Suter's home. The charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement reached by Barki and Gill's attorney, Edward Gillison.
Barki told the judge Suter's mother supported the plea agreement.
Several days after the shooting, Suter's trailer home was destroyed by a fire. Officials with the state Fire Marshal's Office said the damage was too extensive to determine a cause.
Brooke County Sheriff Rich Beatty said then that investigation of the crime scene was completed prior to the fire.
Also in 1st Judicial Circuit Court on Friday, Judge Wilson approved an 18-month deferral for Dale B. Allen, 50, of Wellsburg, for a charge of attempted malicious assault.
Barki said on Jan. 17, Allen was using his pickup truck to plow snow from his street while a neighbor was using his plow-rigged tractor to do the same when a verbal altercation arose.
The prosecutor said Allen used his truck to ram the neighbor's tractor, causing damage to both vehicles while the tractor's driver wasn't harmed.
Conditions under the deferral call for Allen to undergo counseling and avoid contact with the victim.
Wilson advised Allen if he fails to meet them, he will return to court to face a sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison or 6 to 12 months in prison and a fine up to $500.
The arrangement came through a plea agreement reached by Allen's attorney, Joseph Ludovici; and Barki, who said it was supported by the victim.