Weirton Man Sentenced to 40 Years for 2021 Wellsburg Murder

Photo by Warren Scott

WELLSBURG -- A Weirton man will serve 40 years in prison, the maximum sentence for the charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 69-year-old Daniel K. Gilchrist in 2021.

The sentence for Jeffrey A. White, 29, of Weirton was approved by 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge Ronald Wilson after White’s attorneys, Jack Wood and Robert McCoid, entered a Kennedy plea for the crime. Such a plea isn’t an admission of guilt by the defendant but an acknowledgment that he would likely be found guilty if the case went to trial.

In addressing the court, Wood noted White has maintained he has no memory of killing Gilchrist at his Charles Street home on the night of Feb. 20, 2021.

“He doesn’t know if in fact, he’s the one who took Mr. Gilchrist’s life,” said Wood while acknowledging, “(h)e knows he was there. He has small memories of being there.”

Wood blamed White’s addiction to alcohol.

“He’s poured himself into the bottle to the extent he has no contact with the real world,” he said while adding White realizes he has a problem.

“He understands the ingredient that’s ruined his life is something that he’s chosen to inject in his body,” said Wood.

He pushed for White to be sentenced to 15 years, comparing the case to an incident of driving under the influence in which the driver unintentionally caused a person’s death. Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Barki said in his mind, “(t)he facts show beyond a reasonable doubt that he murdered Mr. Gilchrist.”

Barki said there’s evidence that prior to the incident, White had been drinking at a friend’s house and was walking in the city, sending texts in an effort to obtain a ride. He said one of White’s shoes and his bloody handprint were found in Gilchrist’s home and White was covered with the victim’s blood when he met police called to the scene.

City Police said they determined that White entered Gilchrist’s home by removing a window air conditioner and struck him multiple times in the head and torso. Barki said earlier a motive hadn’t been determined and there’s no evidence the two knew each other.

On Tuesday, he told the court, "This isn’t a DUI death. This isn’t somebody who accidentally ran into someone, causing their death.”

“It’s clear to the state it (the sentence) should be 40 years,” said Barki.

Prior to the sentence, White stood to deliver an apology to family and friends of Gilchrist attending the hearing while falling short of confessing guilt.

“I don’t have any answers for you as to what occurred that night,” he said, adding he would never intentionally harm someone.

“I wish I could take back that whole night,” said White, who added he’s “had trouble sleeping, thinking about all of the pain I’ve caused everyone.”

“I hope people will look at me as an example of how far addiction can ruin a life,” he said.

Barki said Gilchrist’s son and sister have submitted impact statements for the court’s review.

Jamie Berardi told the court as a friend of Gilchrist, she spoke on behalf of many who knew him as a father, brother, grandfather and son and friend willing to help anyone.

Berardi said, “Many individuals suffer from addiction, but it doesn’t lead them to kill.”

While Berardi said she and others will pray for White’s children, she said, “No mercy should be shown (for White) because he showed no mercy to Danny.”