Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Second arrest taps man as suspect in Marysville murder By Diana Hefley Herald Writer MARYSVILLE -- Marysville detectives believe a man who once told them he threw out evidence only to hide a murder actually may have participated in the 2005 killing. Justin Trent, 26, was jailed last month after he told investigators he was present when Charles Hughley, 39, was stabbed to death. Trent allegedly told detectives he helped dump evidence but blamed someone else for the slaying, according to court documents. He was arrested April 9 for investigation of rendering criminal assistance in connection with the killing and bailed out of jail. On Friday, Marysville detectives arrested Trent again, this time on the suspicion he had an active role in the killing. Investigators spoke with Trent on Friday following the arrest of another man for Hughley's death. Late last month Matthew R. Hedgcoth, 21, was arrested for investigation of second-degree murder in Hughley's slaying. He allegedly told investigators that Trent and others helped attack Hughley in retaliation for an assault on Hedgcoth. Trent appeared Monday in Everett District Court. He was ordered held on $250,000 bail. Hughley was found dead April 13, 2005, in an abandoned house in the 100 block of Beach Avenue. The house was used by squatters. Trent on Friday told investigators he went to the house with Hedgcoth and a few other men and began drinking with Hughley, according to a police affidavit filed Monday. Trent reportedly told detectives Hedgcoth struck Hughley first. Trent told them he punched Hughley in the face a few times, according to the police affidavit. He said he saw another man stab Hughley. The other men dragged Hughley into another room, and Trent said he could hear Hughley screaming for help, he reportedly told investigators. Trent then told investigators he got rid of the knives he believed were used in the murder, police wrote. Hughley died of multiple stab wounds. Detectives have been sending items to the Washington State Patrol crime lab to be examined. As the results from the lab came back, detectives continued to follow leads, police said. Police continue to investigate the homicide. Hughley had recently returned to Marysville to reconnect with his family, his sister Amy Hughley told The Herald shortly after her brother's death. Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.

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