LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – Ronald McMillion has pleaded not guilty in the murder of Dee Ann Keene, appearing before Greenbrier County Circuit Judge Robert E. Richardson this week for a plea hearing.
McMillion, 71, of Friars Hill, is accused of murdering Keene, who disappeared in Greenbrier County in February 2014.
McMillion was arrested on Feb. 14 and is currently housed in Southern Regional Jail in Beaver without bond.
McMillion’s original plea hearing was held on Feb. 24 via video conference.
During that hearing, McMillion stated that he is currently unemployed, and until his incarceration, was collecting Social Security payments in the amount of $900/month.
McMillion stated that those payments have halted due to his incarceration.
Richardson told McMillion that due to his financial circumstances, he is eligible to receive the services of a public defender but stated that the Greenbrier County public defender had recused himself due to a conflict of interest.
Richardson informed McMillion that the court would appoint a private attorney to his case.
“Due to the nature of this crime, I want to make sure we appoint an experienced attorney,” Richardson said. “I’d like to appoint two from the same office or two that will work well together.”
“I appreciate all you have done,” McMillion said in response, to which Richardson replied that he was doing what McMillion is entitled to by law.
Richardson then postponed the arraignment until Feb. 28 to arrange alternative legal representation for the case.
The Feb. 28 hearing was also livestreamed, and Lewisburg attorney Kristopher Faerber was present during the online hearing. Faerber and Lewisburg attorney John Anderson were appointed by the court as McMillion’ attorneys.
During that hearing, McMillion pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Richardson scheduled McMillion’s trial for May 8 of this year.
