SUMMERS COUNTY W.Va. (Hinton News) – Daniel Harmon passed away in July 2022 from a gunshot wound following a dispute with Benjamin Earhart that ended in gunfire. Subsequently, Earhart was arrested and charged with murder. Recently, the case went to trial and the jury returned a verdict of “Not Guilty.”
After the initial incident, The Hinton News reported that the criminal complaint stated that the argument arose from a property dispute. The same document indicated that two wounds were found on Harmon, one in the back of the neck and one in the back.
During the trial, there seemed to be no dispute regarding the manner of Hamon’s death. However, Earhart’s lawyer, Robert Dunlap, argued that Earhart shot Harmon in self-defense. According to reports, the prosecution argued against this claim noting the two shots fired and an alledged statement from Earhart claiming he was not sure whether or not Harmon had a gun.
Closing arguments were held on Thursday, Oct. 19 after which the jury deliberated for several hours. Once the jury returned, they handed down a verdict of Not Guilty on not only the murder charge but also the lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter, voluntary manslaughter and second degree murder.
