WAR (WVVA) - During a bond hearing in McDowell County, details of Mayor Tom Hatcher's death are released. Police say Hatcher was suffocated in his sleep with a plastic shopping bag. Police found him lying in bed with a plastic shopping bag next to his head.
Scratches on his face, and marks from the department store shopping bag were evidence to police that foul play was involved.
Charged with first degree murder is Hatcher's daughter-in-law 32-year-old Rebecca Lynn Hatcher. She lived with Hatcher while his son, her husband, is in prison.
Mayor Hatcher's son is 36-year-old John Hatcher. He is jailed in Logan County Jail for forgery and uttering.
The other suspect is her brother, 25-year-old Earl Click of War.
He recently got out of prison after a six-year sentence for breaking and entering and beating his own mother.
Prosecutors say Rebecca Hatcher and the Mayor had an argument just two days before the murder.
They also say the Mayor threatened to have Rebecca arrested for stealing money from him.
According to the assistant state prosecuting attorney Ed Kornish, just before Hatcher's death he was going to have her arrested for the theft of approximately $1,000.
Hatcher only responded by shaking her head, "no" during court on Thursday.
Police say they've interviewed the suspects' uncle, who was living at a motel with Earl Click.
The uncle claims on the night of the murder Rebecca picked-up Click around 1 am then brought him back to the motel three hours later. He also claims that Click told him about the murder.
Police say no forced entry was found at Mayor Tom Hatcher's home. State prosecutors suggested in court that the culprit had a key to the home.
Sister Laura Click says her siblings are innocent and that the community has been hostile toward the family after allegations.
"Until proven guilty, I wish people in the community wouldn't assume and wouldn't take it out on other family members," Click said.
She says it is difficult for the Click family to appear in public.
Judge Rudolf J. Murensky says because of a high flight risk and for the defendants own safety from angry community members, both defendants would be denied bond.
Hatcher was taken to Southern Regional Jail in Beckley, while Click was taken to Logan County Jail.
Both were ordered to remain separate, without contact. Defense attorneys agreed that both Hatcher and Click would have a DNA swab test performed.
Defense Attorneys Flenchum and Anderson say that much of the evidence is hearsay.
If convicted, both Click and Hatcher could face life in prison. Now, their fate will be decided by a jury.
