ELKINS – A Randolph County grand jury returned a total of 52 indictments during its Monday and Tuesday session, including two individuals with ties to Upshur County.
The cases were presented by Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Michael W. Parker, with one presentation by Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Ray LaMora III.
Vanessa Fay Logan, 32, who is currently an inmate at Lakin Correctional Center, was indicted on one count of murder, a felony.
The U. S. Marshals Service arrested Logan in late November after police believe she shot Spencer Zoller, 49, in Randolph County earlier in the month. She was apprehended at a trailer park about 15 miles from Morgantown.
According to Randolph County Sheriff Mark Brady, Zoller was found dead from a gunshot wound at a residence on Gum Road in the Crystal Springs are Nov. 18. Logan had allegedly fled the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement; however, Brady had said there were several other individuals at the residence and spoke with law enforcement.
A previous My Buckhannon story said the sheriff’s department believed the shooting was drug-related.
In December 2018, Randolph County Magistrate Robert Elbon set bond at $150,000 cash-only for Logan, who was then being held without bond at the North Central Regional Jail.
Christopher Warren Koch, 32, was also indicted by the Randolph County Grand Jury in the June term on one count of accessory after the fact to murder, a felony.
Koch, of Elkins, who was employed in Upshur County at the time of the incident according to Brady, allegedly aided Logan as she evaded law enforcement.
The November 2018 sheriff’s office press release stated, “Koch was arrested on a felony charge of accessory after the fact relating to the homicide investigation of Spencer Zoller” and said during the investigation it was determined that Christopher Koch was “instrumental in assisting the murder suspect, Vanessa Logan, in evading law enforcement.”
According to a previous My Buckhannon story, Koch allegedly “provided transportation” to Logan and “assisted her in locating a place to stay to avoid arrest.” In addition, the release said (Koch) helped her secure items to change her personal appearance in an effort to further avoid detection” and said he also was trying to provide financial support to Logan.
Those indicted during the grand jury’s June term will report to the Randolph County Courthouse on Monday, July 1 at 9 a.m. for bond return hearings at which time bond will be set and trial dates will be determined.
The Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney’s office noted in the press release Tuesday that, “the fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
