PARKERSBURG MAN GOES TO TRIAL FOR BRENT BUTLER MURDER - Butler Former Calhoun Resident

(03/02/2009)
Jury selection has started in the trial of a Parkersburg man accused of robbing a Wirt county man and then stabbing him to death in 2008.

The Wirt County Prosecutors Office say jury selection began today for the trial of 31-year-old Howard Murray, who is accused of murdering 33-year-old Brent Butler near Elizabeth.

Butler is a former Calhoun County resident.

Murray is facing charges of murder in the first degree and attempted burglary.

The charges are related to an incident in February 2008 when police officers say three men robbed Butler and then stabbed him to death behind his home.

The two other suspects 33-year-old Oscar Gibson and 20-year-old Corey Robinson have reached plea agreements in the case.

Both Gibson and Robinson can be called to testify against Murray in the murder trial.

See BRENT BUTLER MURDERED IN WIRT