| By Bob Weaver
Shamblin reunites with mother after release
Bobby Ray Shamblin, 34, accused by West Virginia State Police with double murder,
was released yesterday from Central Regional Jail on $100,000 bond.
The hearing was before Judge David Nibert in Grantsville.
The bond was apparently set at a lower limit and his release expedited based on
what appeared to be a lack of evidence against Shamblin.
Apparently the evidence presented at the probable cause hearing was insufficient to
cause bond not to be set, or set at a higher amount.
Clay attorney Jerome Novobilski, representing Shamblin, told Judge David Nibert that Prosecutor Tony
Morgan said "he would not want to go to trial on the evidence," against
Shamblin.
Shamblin was charged on two counts of first degree murder about 24-hours after the
brutal shootings of Ward Groves and his ex-wife Mary Hicks. He is also charged with
burglary.
Groves and Hicks were found in separate beds on May 15th, dead from shotgun
wounds.
Novobilski told Judge Nibert there are two witnesses who are saying Shamblin was
at home at the time the crimes were committed. The attorney told the court that he
had talked with seven neighbors of Shamblin who say he is a "good and kind man
and neighbor," and would be welcomed back into the community.
A number of family members and friends helped post the bond.
Prosecutor Morgan said he felt the $100,000 bond was appropriate, with certain
conditions. He cannot leave the state, no contact with the juvenile defendant of the
case and to remain law abiding. Violations of any conditions, the bond decision
would be re-visited.
Sixteen-year-old Ronnie Rush is being held in a juvenile detention center. He has
apparently been charged as an accessory before and after the fact.
Groves had apparently inherited a large amount of money from his brother. Police
have indicated burglary was a motive for the crimes.
Rush told authorities he was held at knife-point while Shamblin shot the two
victims.
Authorities have reportedly discovered three different amounts of cash linked to
Rush, one amount in a vehicle he allegedly drove to his father's house to call 911
and a second amount in a truck belonging to Rush parked in the driveway of the
murder scene.
A third amount of cash, reported to be about $2,700, was reportedly retrieved last
week from property belonging to Ronnie Rush's father. There was also a
"considerable" amount of money found in the Grove's residence, according to court
testimony.
State Police have not disclosed results of forensic tests that would link Shamblin
with the crime. Two shotguns, a pocket-knife and clothing from Shamblin's house
were reportedly sent to the State Police lab in Charleston. A gun powder residue test
was performed on Rush.
The original complaint said two shotguns were thrown into the river following the
murder by Rush and Shamblin, based on testimony provided by Rush.
Shamblin's girlfriend Anita Sandy has recanted statements she made about the case
to State Police, reportedly claiming officers placed her under duress. Ms. Sandy had
been read the Miranda Rights at the time of her questioning.
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