Moore accused of shooting man 5 times

Monday will see the beginning of a murder case in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

James W. Moore, 49, 555 Township Road 252, Ironton, has been charged with unclassified felony aggravated murder and third degree felony tampering with evidence in the 2018 death of Homer F. Crank.

Around 11:35 p.m. on Aug. 27, 2018, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office got a call about a possible shooting at 555 Township Road 252. When deputies arrived, they found a man lying dead just outside the residence from apparent gunshots to the upper torso. The man, identified as Crank, had been shot five times, including twice in the chest and three times in the back.

Moore, the homeowner, told deputies that Crank, an acquaintance, had come to his house and a disturbance ensued.

On Sept. 30, 2018, Moore entered a plea of not guilty. There was heavy security during the hearing by Lawrence County Municipal Court Judge Donald Capper. The judge had the case in the Lawrence County Courthouse rather than his usual courtroom in Chesapeake because of security concerns.

The case will be heard in the Lawrence County Common Pleas Court of Judge Christen Finley.