Trial Begins in Coal Executive’s Death

A trial is set to begin for one of two men charged in the fatal shooting of a former coal executive in West Virginia. The Williamson Daily News reports that jury selection started Monday in the trial of 22-year-old Anthony Raheem Arriaga in Mingo County Circuit Court. Arriaga oh Ohio and 20-year-old Brandon Fitzpatrick of Kentucky, are charged with murder in the May 2016 death of Bennett “Ben” Hatfield. Authorities say Hatfield was visiting his wife’s gravesite when he was shot. He resigned in 2015 as Patriot Coal’s president and CEO. Prosecutors say the men killed Hatfield as part of a scheme to steal his vehicle and sell its parts. Fitzpatrick’s trial is scheduled to start on Nov. 6.