TRIAL PENDING FOR 17-YEAR-OLD DODDRIDGE BOY WHO KILLED FAMILY MEMBERS

(07/16/2013)
Pretrial hearings for a Doddridge County teen charged with killing his parents and younger sister have been continued.

The pre-trial hearings will continue pending completion of a psychological exam for 17-year-old Joe Spencer.

Spencer is charged with three counts of murder after the shootings that happened on Sept. 3, 2012 at his family home outside West Union.

The victims were identified as 49-year-old Fred Spencer, Dixie Spencer, 47, and 9-year-old Patience "PJ" Spencer.

Police said Spencer told the officer who responded to the call he used his father's 9mm handgun in the killings and then called 911 to report the incident.

Last October, Circuit Court Judge Tim Sweeney granted a motion by the state to try the teen as an adult.

Spencer was indicted by a grand jury in February.

See earlier story   DODDRIDGE TEEN ARRAIGNED IN TRIPLE MURDER CASE - Youth Will Be Tried As Adult