Police: Second suspect behind Jackson County woman’s murder
Virginia Marie Smith
Michael Wayne Smith
Virginia Marie Smith
Michael Wayne Smith
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CHARLESTON -- A new development has come forward in the case involving the murder of Jackson County resident Cheyenne Johnson.
After a witness was interviewed, it was discovered Virginia Marie Smith, 29, 1244 Britton Ridge Road, Charleston, shot and killed Johnson last week, according to a criminal complaint filed with the Kanawha County Magistrate Court.
As previously reported Michael Wayne Smith, 41, same address, admitted to killing Johnson and putting her body in a well but according to Chief Deputy Greg Young of the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department, Virginia was the one who shot Johnson.
"He was complicit in the murder and caused other injuries. He wasn't telling the whole truth. It wasn't him, it was Virginia," Young said.
On Thursday, Virginia was interviewed and admitted to her involvement in the murder, according to the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department.
Virginia and Michael are not related but were in a relationship at the time of Johnson's murder, according to the sheriff's department.
Johnson had allegedly stolen Virginia's vehicle and when she brought it back the next day, the two women got in a physical altercation which resulted in the shooting of Johnson, according to court records.
After Johnson's body was removed from the well, the autopsy revealed a fatal gunshot wound which was the cause of death, the complaint said.
A 10-year-old witness was interviewed by the Child's Advocacy Center and said Virginia shot Johnson, according to the complaint.
Virginia and Michael are being charged with first degree murder and both are being held at South Central Regional Jail.
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.