News

Attempted Murder Charge Planned For Fugitive Assault on Trooper

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to attempted-murder

ELKINS, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia State Police say an attempted murder charge is planned against a fugitive involved in a fight with a trooper.

State Police spokesman Lt. Michael Baylous says 27-year-old Nathaniel Ray Wegman of Elkins fled Wednesday when Trooper J.J. Cornelius tried to serve an arrest warrant on an Indiana burglary charge.

Baylous says Wegman later was located in a stream and allegedly assaulted Cornelius, causing the trooper’s head to hit the creek bottom. Wegman then allegedly tried to choke and drown Cornelius.

Baylous says Cornelius’ gun was pinned beneath him, so he grabbed his knife and stabbed Wegman. Wegman fled and was later captured along with a woman with him.

Baylous says Cornelius is expected to recover. Wegman will be charged with attempted murder upon his release from a hospital.