Man's daughter charged in his murder

December 10, 2008|By ERIN JULIUS

HAGERSTOWN -- The daughter of a man whose body was found on the ground on Halloween morning has been charged as a juvenile with solicitation of first-degree murder in connection with Billy Lee Black's death.

Fifteen-year-old Danielle Black was detained Wednesday on the charge, Washington County Assistant State's Attorney John Dunlap said.

Billy Lee Black's body was found the morning of Oct. 31 in a pool of blood behind a house at 210 James St. in Hagerstown's West End.

Alec Scott Eger, 19, of 15 Berner Ave., is charged with first-degree murder and felony murder in the death of Black, 47, of Church Street.

Police have described Eger as a friend of Danielle Black.

Hagerstown Police Lt. Mike King would not release the girl's address.

Following a detention hearing Wednesday morning for Danielle Black, Washington County Circuit Judge Donald E. Beachley, sitting in juvenile court, ordered that she be detained.

Dunlap, who represented the state at the hearing, said he asked that she be detained based on the seriousness of the charge.

According to the statement Dunlap gave in court, an independent witness would testify that Danielle Black solicited a male juvenile to murder her father, he alleged. The male juvenile said there wasn't anything in it for him, Dunlap said.

Eger is not the person prosecutors allege was solicited for murder, Dunlap said.

An attempt to determine who was representing Danielle Black was unsuccessful Wednesday.

Hagerstown Police have described what they think happened the morning Black was killed.

Eger confronted Black on Oct. 31 at about 5:30 a.m. as Black was leaving his house to go to work, Sgt. Paul Kifer has said.

Kifer said Eger accused Black of physically abusing his 15-year-old daughter, whom Kifer described as a friend of Eger. Police have not confirmed any allegations of abuse.

A fight ensued and Eger stabbed Black "multiple times about the head and neck," police said. Afterward, Black's body was dragged to a spot near his truck and his wallet was taken, police said.

Eger also was charged with robbery, first- and second-degree assault, carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a weapon to cause injury and theft.

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