Matheny murder suspect arrested
By ROGER ADKINSArticle Photos
Justin Michael Moran, 20, 2810 Ohio 555, Little Hocking, was arrested around 5 p.m. Friday at Parkersburg Police Headquarters, said Lt. John Young of the police department’s detective bureau and the Parkersburg Major Crimes Unit.
Moran was arraigned at 10 p.m. in Wood County Magistrate Court by Magistrate Joyce Purkey on one count of second-degree homicide. Purkey set Moran’s bond at $500,000. He was being held in the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County.
According to a criminal complaint, Moran allegedly met Matheny Dec. 26, 2006, at Grandpa’s Market in south Parkersburg. Moran allegedly got into Matheny’s vehicle and the pair went to a section of Staunton Avenue, near Corning Park, according to the complaint.
The complaint states an altercation ensued and Matheny allegedly was stabbed. His body later was found in the area.
Matheny of Hawthorne Street in south Parkersburg went missing Dec. 26, 2006. His abandoned vehicle was found the following day in the Park Shopping Center and his body was discovered Dec. 28 in a vacant lot at the end of Staunton Avenue.
Moran was arrested as a result of information Parkersburg police received from the Washington County Major Crimes Task Force. Though detectives could not provide specific details, Young said Ohio officials passed on information that resulted in the arrest.
“They were able to provide us information that led us to our suspect,” said Detective Decker Moody. “Later, we were able to make the arrest based on the results of our investigation.”
Investigators contacted Moran and he went to police headquarters, where he was arrested, Young said.
Moody said the investigation has been ongoing since the 2006 killing. Chief Gerald Board said every lead and tip was investigated. Activity increased again last week when Parkersburg officials received the information from Washington County.
Board said he was pleased an arrest has been made in the case.
“It’s been a long time coming. It’s a case that’s been on the minds of every police officer in the department since it happened,” Board said.
Detective Leslie Board said the Matheny family has been informed of the arrest and they are glad to know the case is moving forward.
“I just want to thank the Matheny family for being understanding and helpful to us while the investigation was ongoing,” Chief Board said.
The family had been offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. It doesn’t appear there will be anyone to collect the reward, officials said.
Steve Matheny, Roy Matheny’s son, said the family is happy an arrest was made in the case. It has been a long ordeal for the family, but relatives are pleased that closure may be around the corner.
“We’re happy this has happened. This has been a good day for us. It’s Friday the 13th but it’s good luck for us. It’s something we’ve been looking forward to,” he said.
Steve Matheny said the family is hopeful they will learn more about the motive for the killing as the case goes forward.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride up and down,” Matheny said.
The family appreciates the efforts of the police department and everyone who worked on the case.
“They did all they could do with the resources they had. They were trying different angles. They were working the case. They kept chasing the leads,” Steve Matheny said.
Steve Matheny said he was going back to Parkersburg from the beach when he heard the news an alleged suspect has been arrested.
“I was coming back from the beach and they called to tell me the news they found the guy. I hadn’t driven about five miles and a big rainbow had come up there. It was almost a sign,” Steve Matheny said.
Roy Matheny’s wife, Martha Matheny, was especially relieved to hear about the arrest.
“It’s going to be a lot easier on mom now that they’ve found someone,” Steve Matheny said.
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Ricotubbs
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06-28-08 1:56 PM
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Your a idiot if you dont think its a little strange a 80 year old man is with a 20 year old boy at a place known for gays. Not saying its right the guy killed him but dont be stupid. I also think its funny the Parkersburg PD couldnt solve a madlib with out someone calling in who done it which seems ot be the norm with them. If someone kills you better hope to go one person saw it cause the Parkersburg PD arnt going to figure it out
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KBHUSTON
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06-25-08 3:13 PM
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TO STARFLASH: DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING? DO YOU EVEN KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE THE COMMENTS YOU A MAKING ARE REALLY STUIPD! I THINK MY UNCLE WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME..I THINK HE WAS TRYING TO HELP SOMEONE OUT, AND JUSTIN TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HIM... BY KILLING HIM.. I THINK ALL THESE LIES ABOUT HIM BEING GAY ARE REALLY REACHING "OUT THERE". I THINK HE WAS BROUGHT TO THAT PART OF TOWN, BECAUSE JUSTIN THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEVER FIND HIM. IF IT WAS "SELF DEFENSE" LIKE JUSTICE IC CLAIMING...WHY WOULD HE LET HIM BE MISSING FOR THOSE DAYS? AND NOT COME FORWARD WHEN IT HAPPENED? AND KNOWING THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE OUT THERE LOOKING FOR HIM...YOU ARE RIGHT! THEY ARE ALL LIES THAT JUSTIN AND HIS FAMILY ARE TELLING...IF JUSTIN WAS THE KIND-HEARTED PERSON, THAT THEY ARE SAYING HE IS....WHY DIDN'T HE COME FORWARD?....AND NOT WAIT UNTIL HE WAS "CAUGHT"?
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Fastasu
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06-23-08 8:38 PM
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Quote From WTAP NEWS: "A suspect in the 2006 murder of Roy Matheny said he stabbed Matheny several times after Matheny allegedly tried to attack him." Roy Matheny was 80 years old and 5' 9" tall. Justin Moran is 20 years old and 6' 4 or 5" tall. Even if the man did 'try to attack him' as he claims, why not simply push the man away from him instead of stabbing him multiple times? And then there's that nagging question about Mr. Matheny's vehicle, and how it got all the way across town. And of course after all is said and done, there remains the fact that after this young man stabbed another human being to death, he dumped his lifeless body as if it were nothing, and went on about his 'normal' life for another year and a half with no signs of conscience or remorse. Sounds like another psychopath to me. Lord knows our nation is richly blessed with them.
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starflash
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06-23-08 6:12 PM
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Why would the 80 year old man take a young boy to a park to drink?? I think he wanted something for trade. Now that it has been on the news.. Something is not right! But it will all come out in the end.
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KBHUSTON
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06-20-08 7:41 AM
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TO:june123 I DIDN'T PUT HIM IN JAIL! HE MUST BE SITTING IN JAIL FOR A REASON! THEY MUST THINK THEY HAVE ENOUGH ON HIM, TO MAKE HIM SIT THERE...YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT FAIR....DID YOU THINK WHAT WAS DONE TO MY UNCLE FAIR??? OH THAT'S RIGHT....MY UNCLE CAN'T SAY WHAT IS FAIR OR NOT...HE TOOK THAT FROM HIM. AND LIKE I SAID BEFORE, IF THIS WAS YOUR LOVE ONE, YOU WOULDN'T BE EAGER TO JUMP ON JUSTIN'S SIDE...OR ANYONE ELSE THAT WAS ACCUSED OF THIS AWFUL CRIME.
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june123
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06-19-08 12:29 PM
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To kbhuston, I'm sorry for what happen to your uncle, but as I said the other day you are sitting there saying things about Justin and he hasn't even had a fair trial. If Justin has done this then he does deserve to be punished. But I just want to know that he is given a fair trial because there are people out there like you that have made your mind up already and I know that I wouldn't want to be sitting in jail and you were one of the people who would make the decision to send me to prison or not because as we can see from your ignorance that I wouldn't get a fair trial. How would you like to be you or one or your loved ones sitting in jail and not have done anything but people were already to send you to prison. Remember a man is innocent until proven guilty. And until he has a trial he is still innocent..
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Fastasu
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06-19-08 12:16 PM
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To Starflash: Woah ..... no one said anything about Mr. Matheny 'looking for sex.' The mans 'body' was found 'near' Corning Park. As I said in an earlier posting, I know an elderly person who lives within sight of where Mr. Matheny's body was discovered. Does that mean that this person is 'looking for sex?' I don't think so. I would venture to say that whoever killed Mr. Matheny chose that area because it was a dead end street and somewhat isolated. What his reasoning is for the actual murder, no one knows at this time. However, in my opinion there is NEVER a good excuse for murder. The only reason I said anything about Corning Park is because June 123 asked about the 'rumors' concerning that area. I'm certain if there's any other 'connection' it will come out at trial time.
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starflash
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06-19-08 11:22 AM
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So the old man was looking for sex?? This is just sick!! He must have known about the area..
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lowridindude69
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06-18-08 4:30 PM
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i went to school with justin moran....he was nothing but a piece of crap worthless excuse for a human being...him and the crowd of welfare trash losers he hung around with...he was nothing but a dope head and he needs to be behind bars....he really needs to be about 6 feet under and that would be one more piece of trash off this earth!!!
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KBHUSTON
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06-18-08 4:13 PM
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To june123 HOW CAN YOU TALK ABOUT FAIR??? DO YOU THINK WHAT HE DID TO MY UNCLE IS FAIR????????????? HOW CAN YOU FEEL SORRY FOR SUCH A SCUMBAG LIKE JUSTIN? AND THEY MUST HAVE SOMETHING ON HIM, OR HE WOULDN'T BE THERE.....HE IS WHERE HE IS AT FOR A REASON! THINK ABOUT IT!!!
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Fastasu
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06-18-08 11:01 AM
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To June 123: As has been said before, I know of no one who has 'convicted' Justin Moran. However, there must be some pretty solid evidence against him, considering how long the police worked on this case before actually making an arrest. Every case has to start with a suspect and an arrest. If he is not guilty, then I'm sure the jury will find him not guilty. You asked about Corning Park. In the past several years the area has turned into a 'pick-up' area for gay men. They hang around down there waiting for whoever comes along. Sadly, on many occasions it's teenage boys who come along, looking for enough money to buy their drugs. This could be stopped over night if enough people cared; if the police would patrol the area better, and if parents knew where their kids were, what they were doing and what they were being exposed to. Statistics say 50 teenagers per day become infected with HIV / AIDS. If you want to talk about a harsh sentence, think about that one. Guaranteed death!
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june123
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06-18-08 10:36 AM
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I now live out of town will someone please tell me what the story is about the corning park area
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june123
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06-18-08 9:46 AM
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It sickens me to know that a young man can be a suspect in a murder case and is already found guilty. How would you feel if this was your your son and was sitting there and everyone was convicting him before a trial. Justin is part of my family and I just want what is fair. A fair trial. So lets be Christians and pray for both familys because this has changed alot of peoples lives.
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KBHUSTON
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06-16-08 1:02 PM
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TO PARSONSBE... THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO SAY IS: JUSTIN IS WHERE HE IS AT FOR A REASON! HE IS A SCUMBAG! HE DESERVES EVERYTHING THAT IS COMING TO HIM..AND SOON HE WILL BE SOMEONE'S GIRLFRIEND...JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED! I'M SURE IF THIS WAS YOUR LOVE ONE, YOU WOULDN'T BE SO QUICK TO BE ON HIS SIDE.
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Fastasu
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06-16-08 9:34 AM
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To Parsonsbe: The 'press' can only report what they have been told by other sources. I will agree that it is the responsibility of a news reporter to try to make sure they are getting the facts, and not gossip or speculation. I have seen nothing in any news media that 'convicts' Justin Moran before he's had a trial. Your original posting did not reference the 'press' so much as it referenced the individuals who were responding to the news article. You said - "I hope for the sake of justice, that none of you people are on the jury." and "You all sicken me." If there is exculpatory evidence the prosecutor must reveal that evidence to the defense. Granted, there are times the evidence is ignored by both sides, but that's neither the fault of the press nor the citizens that disgust you so much.
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parsonsbe
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06-16-08 12:16 AM
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The suspect in the John Nestor and Tracy Thompson was convicted in the press, through reading the paper along with WTAP's help had the family, and the rest of the valley, certain he had done it. They left out vital information that would have shown that he didn't do it. Convictions is the press happen all the time, they even do it on a national level. Do your homework.
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spencer
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06-15-08 3:41 PM
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parsonbe-show me in any news article where this person has been "covicted" in the press. Should it have been left out of the news?? I'm sure there would have been a "cover up conspiracy" with that also. In regard to what they were doing in Corning Park-WHO CARES!!! Is there some places in this town where killing is legal?
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Fastasu
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06-15-08 12:09 PM
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To Starflash: Rumors always fly whenever something like this happens. Sometimes there's an ounce of truth in them, and sometimes there isn't. At this time, about the only thing I could say would be we're going to have to wait until Justin Moran makes a statement and supplies details, or we're going to have to wait for the trial. Personally, if it goes to trial, I plan on sitting in on it, just as I have done on a few other trials, and just as I plan on doing for severl others this summer. Personally, I wonder if this isn't drug related. Statistics say that about 90% of crime is drug related. If that's the case, I'd like to see the police go after the dealer, and then see the Matheny family bring a wrongful death law suit against him/her.
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Fastasu
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06-15-08 12:06 PM
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To Starflash: Rumors always fly whenever something like this happens. Sometimes there's an ounce of truth in them, and sometimes there isn't. At this time, about the only thing I could say would be we're going to have to wait until Justin Moran makes a statement and supplies details, or we're going to have to wait for the trial. Personally, if it goes to trial, I plan on sitting in on it, just as I have done on a few other trials, and just as I plan on doing for severl others this summer. Personally, I wonder if this isn't drug related. Statistics say that about 90% of crime is drug related. If that's the case, I'd like to see the police go after the dealer, and then see the Matheny family bring a wrongful death law suit against him/her.
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starflash
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06-15-08 11:46 AM
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I'm Sorry, I just hear so many different stories and just wanted to know why they were in that area? Are the stories true?
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Fastasu
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06-15-08 10:42 AM
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To Starflash: The article above states - "Moran allegedly got into Matheny’s vehicle and the pair went to a section of Staunton Avenue, near Corning Park, ..." This does not mean 'they went to Corning Park'. I happen to know an elderly person who lives on Staunton Avenue just a short distance from where Mr. Matheny's body was found. It's across the road, and down the street from Corning Park.
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starflash
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06-15-08 9:55 AM
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What was they doing at Corning Park??
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parsonsbe
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06-15-08 6:11 AM
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And yet of all my words you made your own assumptions. Not once did I say I was sympathetic with the accused, nor did I say I didn't sympathize with the victim's family. I can actually empathize with you, but that does not give anyone the right to convict him in the press before he has actually had a trial.
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derbeobachter
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06-14-08 11:49 PM
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Recognition should be made to law enforcement officers on both sides of the river. This is just another example of the cooperation which is fostered by agencies leadership. Chief Board is doing an excellent job and should be proud of the officers of the Parkersburg Police Department as well as the Washington County Major Crimes Unit. It is too bad that he was not the chief during the 19th street fire that took the lives of two Parkersburg citizens
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vortex
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06-14-08 11:23 PM
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I’m glad to see an arrest was made in this case. GOOD JOB to all the officers involved in the case. But I must say it is easy to see who really broke this case and who has the real Major Crime Taskforce.
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