Guilty plea in 2007 murder case

HUNTINGTON – A 25-year-old from Barboursville could spend the next 30 years in prison.

Jonathan Gene Adkins entered a Kennedy plea Monday, Nov. 2, convicting him of second-degree murder in the Oct. 3, 2007, shooting death of Jerry Eaves. The victim’s body was found in a driveway at 5159 Heath Creek Road near Barboursville. Investigators said he received a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Adkins entered his plea before Cabell Circuit Judge Dan O’Hanlon. The plea agreement included a maximum 30-year prison sentence. Adkins was released on home confinement until his Jan. 8, 2010, sentencing date.

The Kennedy plea allowed Adkins to be convicted without explaining his role in the crime.

Adkins’ first opportunity for parole will be in 10 years. Good behavior will allow him to discharge the sentence in 15 years.

Adkins trial was scheduled to begin Monday, but was postponed late last week when the plea agreement was reached. It had been delayed multiple times.

The Oct. 3, 2007, shooting rattled an otherwise quite neighborhood called Pine Acres. It consisted of about 25 houses in a secluded area between Martha and W.Va. 10 in south of Huntington.

The initial criminal complaint charged that Adkins advised the victim’s sister he planned to kill Eaves, if the victim did not hand over money Adkins believed he was owed. The complaint states the suspect drove to the Heath Creek residence, confronted Eaves about the debt, shot him with a pistol and fled the scene.

Adkins turned himself in the following night to West Virginia State Police.

In November 2008, it was reported a defense expert had determined Adkins suffers from diminished capacity. Such a person may have lacked ability to restrain one’s self or comprehend the nature of a crime. The prosecutor’s office solicited a second opinion.