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Myers murder trial underway in Bonifay
The prosecution opened its murder case against Bobby Myers Monday afternoon, with Assistant State Attorney Luke Taylor laying out a case for what could be seen as a near execution-style killing. Myers is charged with second-degree felony murder in the killing of his daughter's boyfriend, Wendell "Butch" Kirch.
COVERAGE AS THE TRIAL CONTINUES...SCROLL DOWN TO COMMENT
Defense Attorney Roy Lake of Bonifay waived opening remarks until the defense presents its case, which Lake said should be sometime Wednesday.
The murder in north Holmes County took place on Jan. 23, 2007. The Friday before that Kirch, and Esto volunteer firefighter, and Myers' daughter, Wanda Gilley, had a fight. Taylor said the two made up by the following Tuesday.
Taylor said that over the weekend, however, Myers heard "through the grapevine" that his daughter had abused by Kirch and went looking for him. This was despite a call from a Kirch relative that the couple had made up.
Taylor said that when Gilley got home from work at about 9 p.m. on Jan. 23 her father pulled into her yard at 1563 Cotton Circle at the same time. Kirch walked toward Myers, and Taylor said Kirch got down on his knees and apologized about the fight. Taylor said that Myers then pulled out a .38 caliber revolver and shot Kirch in the neck.
Gilly then took Kirch to a nearby residence where Holmes County EMS was called, but Kirch died of his wounds.
Taylor said that witnesses will show that Gilley begged someone to call 911, and that "Daddy just shot Butch."
Taylor said the prosecution would also show that Myers left the scene without showing any concern for Kirch or calling for help. Taylor said that Myers stopped at two other locations to drop off his guns, and made no mention of the shooting.
Before the trial began, Circuit Judge Allen Register rejected a motion by the prosecution to suppress evidence that Kirch had 3.8 milligrams of amphetamine in his system the night of the shooting. Register said that if the defense provided a foundation of evidence that Kirch was more aggresive than normal on methamphetamine and that this was known, then the evidence can be presented.
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| No like so many she never reported it I dont think. Plus she didn't really want any help. Hes a good man. Hope the jury does the right thing. |
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| friend - Mar 19, 2008 06:29:25 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Meth is the worst drug known to man just go to local drug stores and you can find out the people buying the pills to make the stuffGo gettum boys |
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| joe public - Mar 19, 2008 11:07:31 AM | Remove Comment |
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| I agree with the other commentors, it seems like the guy deserved what he got, he should not have beaten on the lady. In dv it seems like a never ending circle, the beatings get worse and worse until alot of times someone takes it into their own hands and handles the situation. It's sad at that time the "victim" becomes the defendant. It seems the aggressor should have been stopped way before this had to happen? Where was Law Enforcement when she got beat all those times, was it ever reported? |
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| passer by - Mar 19, 2008 08:45:25 AM | Remove Comment |
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| I know Mr. Myers personally, in fact his neice is my best friend and i have grown up calling him "Uncle Bobby". He always has a hug and a smile for me.
I disagree with the statements made in this paper as an execution- style killing. Mr. Myers is a well respected man in this community and has many supporters.
Everyone can speculate about what has happened and how, that is how rumors get started and for Bobby Myers to be called a murderer, that is simply ridiculous.
He is just a father that was trying to protect his daughter and in my opinion he did what any father would do when it came to their children.
I am sure that Mr. Myers feels much remorse as we all do, but I think to find him guilty and sentence him to life is poposterous. He is a 70 year old man and doesn't have any prior records.
I believe that this was done in self defense and I believe Mr. Myers shouldn't be charged with anything more.
My family and I have Bobby in our prayers and we are praying for him and his family. |
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| anon - Mar 18, 2008 07:43:38 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I do know the accused and I don't see any "cold blooded" in him. He is a kind, gentle man who got tired of his daughter being abused, especially by someone known to traffic in drugs. |
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| anon - Mar 18, 2008 03:43:25 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I don't know any of the parties in this case, but when I first heard about this shooting, I certainly could understand why the victim was shot. You raise your children and don't abuse them and then they get married and are abused by there husbands. It just makes you want to shoot them. Nobody wants there children to be abused. |
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| Sam - Mar 17, 2008 08:58:33 PM | Remove Comment |
