In Around West Virginia today: a toddler's death viewed as homicide, all charges will stand for man accused in boating accident, a Berkeley County woman performs on Americal Idol, and more.
n A medical examiner referred to the death of a toddler as a homicide in trial in Berkeley County Tuesday, according to The Herald-Mail. Joshua McDonough, 28, is charged with death of a child by parent, guardian or custodian by child abuse. He has said the 21-month-old child died from injuries sustained falling off a bed. Medical Examiner Constance Diangelo said that the child's injuries were not consistent with a short fall and that she viewed the death as a homicide.
n All charges will remain against a man accused of drunkenly driving and crashing a boat last May, injuring himself and 11 passengers. The Dominion Post reports Brandon Solomon appeared in Monongalia County Magistrate Court on Tuesday to ask that 10 of the 11 counts of boating while intoxicated causing injury be dismissed. Police said Solomon was driving a 23-foot Wakesetter boat on Cheat Lake on Memorial Day when he crashed into an embankment. All those aboard who were injured were taken to hospitals, three of them by helicopter.
n A Hedgesville singer has performed on national televised singing competitions twice. The Journal interviewed Heather Gayle about her experience on American Idol and X factor.
"I'm a huge believer in music being more than just music," Gayle said. "I want to change people's moods and make them think a little bit; I want to challenge their thoughts."
n A Raleigh County man described his unsuccessful efforts to save his brother from a fire. Greg Simmons told WVVA he woke up to see flames outside of his window, ran to his brother's home and beat on the window to wake his brother up. It was too late. Daniel Simmons had already died in the fire, leaving behind three daughters and three sons.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.