First-Degree Murder Conviction Reinstated

The West Virginia Supreme Court has reinstated a man’s first-degree murder convictions for the 1982 slayings of two people in Marion County.

The court ruled that the Ohio County Circuit Court erred when it granted Philip Reese Bush a new trial last year.

Bush was convicted in 1983 of killing Charles Dale Goff and Kathleen Jane Williams. His trial was moved to Ohio County because of pretrial publicity.

Bush’s appeal argued that one of the trial court’s jury instructions denied him due process.

A memorandum of decision issued Wednesday by the Supreme Court says there was no deprivation of due process.

Bush is serving two life sentences. He’s also a co-defendant in a separate Marion County case involving the slayings of three people in 1974.