Trial set for two men in Martinsburg woman's death

Fred Dwayne Douty II and Anthony Charles Juntilla face first-degree felony murder charges

April 01, 2008|By DAVE McMILLION

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A June 10 trial date has been set for two Berkeley County men charged in the murder of a Martinsburg woman whose body was found along Dam #4 Road in northeastern Berkeley County last year.

West Virginia State Police found Tina Marie Starcher's body June 20, 2007, between Dam #4 Road and Rockymarsh Run, near Scrabble Road.

She allegedly was picked up by two men May 27 and taken to a home in Hedgesville, W.Va., where she was forced to have sex with them and then killed, according to authorities.

Fred Dwayne Douty II, of 1301 Texas St. in Martinsburg, and Anthony Charles Juntilla, of 86 Tecumseh Trail in Hedgesville, who each were indicted for first-degree felony murder in the case, appeared Monday morning before Berkeley County Circuit Court Judge David Sanders during a status hearing.

Hair was found at crime scenes in the case, including the house where Starcher was killed, and attorneys are working out details about how the hair will be tested for DNA.

It is not known whose hair it is and a DNA test will be conducted to make the determination, attorneys in the case said.

During the hearing, attorneys worked out details about how the DNA testing will be conducted.

Attorney Andy Arnold, who is representing Douty, said he wants to consult with an expert in regard to the DNA testing.

Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Pamela-Games Neely said the case is progressing well and she can wait only three days for details of the DNA testing to be worked out.

Games-Neely and Sanders agreed to let Arnold have until Wednesday to consult with his expert on DNA issues.

Douty and Juntilla, who are being held at Eastern Regional Jail without bond, are scheduled to be tried together in the case, and the trial probably will last for at least three days, Games-Neely said after Monday's hearing.

Charging documents allege Starcher was assaulted sexually and physically before her body was placed in a blue container and put in the trunk of Juntilla's vehicle.

The area where Starcher's body was dumped is in a remote area of the county near a power line right of way.

Starcher's body allegedly was pushed over a rock ledge along a steep incline, family members said.

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