Ginn indicted for murdering friend
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The suspect, Jeremiah Ginn, 26, was indicted on the first-degree murder count Friday after the grand jury heard evidence in the stabbing death of Robert Allen Webb Jr., 25.
Webb was found dead in the driveway of Ginn’s Perry Road residence in the early morning hours of April 1. He had been stabbed repeatedly in the neck. The hunting knife, allegedly used in the killing, was found on Ginn’s porch.
Ginn, who contacted authorities, told lawmen he stabbed his friend but claimed he was acting in self-defense. However, Sheriff Jackie Matheny said there was evidence found suggesting Ginn staged the murder scene to make the slaying look like self-defense. The grand jury’s election to go with the top charge of first-degree murder means they believed investigators.
Ginn was originally charged with criminal homicide, a catch-all in cases of wrongful death. The grand jury was then given the evidence and provided information about the law which governs the various stages of murder.
For Webb’s mother, Donna Roberts, the news of the indictment came as a welcome relief as she has been following the case from her home in Nevada. She formerly lived in Warren County where she operated Wilson’s Package Store years ago.
“It’s difficult trying to find out what’s going on from all the way across the country,” Roberts said of her attempt to keep up with the investigation.
As for her son’s assailant, Roberts said it is ironic her son’s life would end by his hands when her son had saved Ginn’s life years earlier.
“My son saved him from drowning. Gave him CPR and everything,” Roberts said. “They were good friends. He (Ginn) had even lived in my house.”
While saying they were long-time friends, Roberts said she felt something wasn’t quite right about Ginn.
“He had always been jealous of my son,” Roberts said. “I’ve heard my son wouldn’t let him borrow his Mustang earlier that evening before was killed and that might have embarrassed him.”
Roberts says she intends to come to Warren County for Ginn’s trial. The trial date has not been set. Prosecutors say they will consider requesting life without chance of parole of they can find sufficient aggravating factors.