KINGWOOD — The case against Aaron Glenn Hoard, 33, of Morgantown, will be sent to Preston County Circuit Court for a grand jury to hear.
Hoard was charged with first-degree murder, in the Nov. 3 shooting death of Grant Felton Jr. outside Shorthorns Saloon in Terra Alta.
First-degree murder carries a possible life sentence.
At a preliminary hearing Tuesday, Michael Felton testified that Hoard was asked to leave the bar after other patrons complained he was dancing and knocking them down. Felton said he got involved when Bryan Teets picked up a wooden chair to hit a bouncer.
Felton said both Teets and Hoard were told they could not go back inside the bar. He said they left and returned 10 to 15 minutes later.
“I was told they were trying to come back in and was asked to assist the bouncer.
“I remember seeing Grant Felton and another fellow taking someone across the street,” Felton said. “Me and D.J. Wilt was taking Teets across.”
He said at one point a woman jumped on Grant and knocked him to the ground. Felton said he knelt down to get the girl off of Grant Felton and heard four shots.
Wilt, who also testified Tuesday, said when the shots went off, Teets started to run and he took him down.
“Mike grabbed Aaron. I let Teets go and stood up. Aaron was standing on the running board, pinned against the truck hinges. That was when the other three shots were fired. I was behind Mike when he (Hoard) fired the three shots. I went over Mike’s back and that’s when another shot went off.”
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Megan Allender said there was probable cause to hold Hoard over to grand jury for first degree murder.
“There is testimony he was asked to leave and came back. Wilt and Felton testified the five shots caused the death of Grant Felton,” she said. “No one else was hurt and Grant took the five shots in a very specific area. He (Hoard) made the decision to continue shooting. Nine shell casings is not an accident or self-defense. He (Felton) was basically a sitting target. He (Hoard) had a running vehicle and could leave,” she said.
Defense Attorney Belinda Haynie said when Hoard was asked to leave, he did. She said he shot four shots in the air and when they tried to pin his arm and get the firearm, it was not in his control and he was trying to defend himself.
Haynie said she believed the incident took place in the truck because there was evidence of the gun being shot inside it.
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