CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — A father and son charged with plotting to burn down the home of West Virginia Delegate Stephen Skinner are scheduled to appear in Jefferson County Magistrate Court later this month for preliminary hearings related to the case.
Both Darryl Edmond Palmer, 48, of Inwood, and Matthew Brian Palmer, 21, of East Fourth Avenue, Ranson, were arraigned last week in Jefferson County on felony warrants charging them with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree arson in connection with the plot, which was allegedly hatched in retaliation for active lawsuits filed against the defendants. Skinner, who is also an attorney, represented the consumers who filed the lawsuits against the suspects.
“I think the state police did an amazing job of investigating and certainly they made me and my family feel much more secure. I look forward to this being resolved in such a way that we don’t have to fear this type of thing going on,” Skinner said Tuesday.
Darryl Palmer is scheduled to make his first appearance in court June 19, while his son is set to appear for a preliminary hearing June 30.
As of Tuesday, Mathew Palmer remained free on $100,000 bail. His father remains free on $50,000 bail while awaiting future court proceedings.
According to court records, Trooper First Class J.E. Williams of the West Virginia State Police was contacted May 14 by Assistant State Fire Marshal George Harms, who said he had information that two suspects, Darryl Palmer and Matthew Palmer, had conspired to commit arson at Skinner’s home. Harms said he was investigating an arson that occurred last summer involving the same suspects and said he had reason to believe they may commit another arson, records show…
