×

Continuance granted in June murder case

PARKERSBURG — A continuance in the case of a June murder was granted in Wood County Circuit Court Tuesday.

Michael J. Brown, 23, who is being held without bond in the North Central Regional Jail on a charge of second-degree murder, was to appear for a hearing on admitting a statement, but his attorney, Matt DeVore, was granted a motion to continue the trial to the January court term.

Judge Robert Waters set a new trial date for April 5, case No. 1. Waters also set a status hearing for 1 p.m. Feb. 24 when the motion to admit a statement will be heard.

Brown is charged with the June 2, 2016 stabbing murder of 27-year-old Derek Rockhold, of Little Hocking, in Parkersburg.

According to court records, the stabbing occurred in the yard behind 808 Wood St. in Parkersburg.

Police responded to the emergency department at Camden Clark Medical Center around 12:10 a.m. June 3. Rockhold had been taken there by an unidentified man and woman who police said had attempted CPR on him. By the time officers arrived, Rockhold had been pronounced dead.

Police said their investigation revealed Rockhold had gotten into a physical altercation with Brown, and Rockhold did not realize he had been stabbed until after they were separated. Two individuals who lived nearby on Wood Street took him to the hospital, police said.

Once Brown was identified as the suspect, officers began to search areas he was  known to frequent and found him in the vicinity of Staunton Avenue and Liberty Street. He was taken to the Police Department for questioning.

Brown was denied bond in a June 10 circuit court hearing.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today