(Court Reports - Photo Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — A couple of murder cases are continuing to move through the courts in Wood County with one scheduled to go to trial in February.

The trial of the two men charged with the murder of a Parkersburg man in May 2022 from an alleged drug deal and robbery that turned into a shooting is set before Circuit Judge Jason Wharton on Feb. 5, 2024.

Justin Keel (also known as George Justin Smith), 22, of Columbus, and Donavon Tyler McCune, 24, of Parkersburg, were indicted in September 2022 on charges of murder, first-degree robbery, presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony, wanton endangerment with a firearm and conspiracy to commit a felony in the death of Terrance Mills Jr. (also known as T.J.)

Both men are still set to be tried together, court personnel said.

A woman involved in the incident, Dezaray Lynn Roberts of Vienna, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery last December as part of a plea agreement. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison with a credit of 216 days for time served.

In court documents, Roberts is said to have set up a drug purchase on May 17, 2022, with Mills and the two men with the intent of robbing him and splitting the proceeds. However, during the meeting Mills was shot and killed by one of the men and then all three of them fled the scene in her 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Keel and McCune are currently in custody at the North Central Regional Jail.

The case of Eric Charles Mullins, 49, of Parkersburg, is currently set before Circuit Judge J.D. Beane.

Mullins is charged with the murder of Lisa Lynn Rogers, 56, of Parkersburg.

Court personnel in Beane’s office said the case is still pending awaiting a competency evaluation. Court records indicated he has been scheduled at different times to have an evaluation done.

Court personnel said a status hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 30 before Beane.

Mullins was arrested in December 2021 by the Parkersburg Police Department. Rogers’ body was found by Parkersburg Police on Nov. 29, 2021.

A bloody palm and fingerprint impression on drywall was found during a search of her residence, the department said at the time. The evidence was tested at the State Police laboratory, which matched the prints to Mullins, they added.

Mullins is currently in custody at the North Central Regional Jail.