WEST UNION - Joseph Spencer, the 16-year-old charged with killing his parents and younger sister, shot them and then called 911, according to court documents.
Spencer called Doddridge County 911 just after 6 p.m. Sept. 3 and advised the dispatcher he just shot his family.
"The caller advised central communications that he had just shot his family members," the juvenile information sheet states.
Article Photos
Joseph Spencer, the 16-year-old charged with killing his parents and younger sister, shot them and then called 911, according to court documents. (File Photo)
The case file on Spencer became public after Circuit Court Judge Tim Sweeney granted a motion by the state to try Spencer as an adult.
Doddridge County sheriff's deputy C.W. Modesitt responded to the call to the Spencer home north of West Union. Modesitt reported when he arrived he apprehended Spencer and placed him in the cruiser.
"Upon clearing all structures on scene, I observed a female lying outside at the foot of the porch steps, dead from apparent gunshots. Through the front downstairs door, I observed a female approximately 9 years old lying dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Up the stairs to the residence, and in a back bedroom, I observed a third body. The third body was a male adult."
The victims were identified as Fred and Dixie Spencer and their daughter Patience "PJ" Spencer. Joseph Spencer is charged with three counts of murder.
Modesitt reported Spencer told him he loaded the 9mm handgun belonging to his father and shot all three family members before calling 911.
The details of the scene were reported in the information sheet, which was unsealed on orders from Doddridge County Circuit Court Judge Tim Sweeney. Spencer's attorney Rodney Windom said Sweeney unsealed the records Thursday.
"It was sealed until the judge ordered it opened up," he said.
According to the file, the state's evidence includes the 911 call and the state's interview with Spencer. In addition, Windom requested any recordings contained on the Doddridge County Sheriff's Office cellphone used by Modesitt also be preserved.
Windom said he's filed a motion for discovery to obtain access to that material.
Because the defense has not been given access to all evidence in the case, Windom thinks it's very unlikely the case will be presented to a grand jury this month. The county's next grand jury convenes in February.
