CHESAPEAKE – Accused murderer Hubert Lusk, Jr.

Tuesday, May 01, 2001

CHESAPEAKE – Accused murderer Hubert Lusk, Jr., 44 of Harrisville, W.Va., appeared in municipal court Monday to schedule an extradition hearing.

Lusk’s attorney, Ironton lawyer Phillip Heald, said his client wished to schedule an extradition hearing which will require West Virginia to produce a Governor’s warrant for Lusk’s arrest. Heald was appointed by Judge Donald Capper to explain the extradition process to Lusk. The warrant from the Mountain State will need to be produced within 90 days.

The extradition hearing is scheduled for May 21, at 10 a.m.

Lusk is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail. Judge Capper has set bond at $500,000 per count.

Lusk is wanted in Ritchie County, W.Va. for a double homicide that occurred April 22. Lusk allegedly killed both his wife, 39-year-old Rhonda Lee Lusk, and neighbor, 67-year-old Francis Dale McDonald. Ritchie County, W.Va. sheriff’s deputies found the bodies in the garage of McDonald’s Harrisville home.

Lusk was arrested last Wednesday morning in the village of Miller in Rome Township. Lusk was reportedly using a payphone outside of DJ’s Mini Mart in the village. Police were tipped off to Lusk’s whereabouts by someone who recognized Lusk from media reports.

Ritchie County Sheriff Ron Barniak was contacted for an update on the investigation. He said he could not comment on the ongoing investigation.