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No arrests yet in case of man shot in his sleep
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State police in Washington County have made no arrests in the slaying of a coal miner who was found shot to death in bed at his rural Morris Township home on Tuesday.
James Durbin, 43, was found dead at the Elwood Day Road house by his son at around 5 p.m. His son had gone to check on him after he failed to show for work that day at the Enlow Fork Mine, where he served as a supervisor for a subcontractor.
Trooper Christy said Mr. Durbin was found lying in bed with a single gunshot wound to the head and that there was no indication of a struggle, leading detectives to believe that he was asleep when he was shot.
Trooper Christy said detectives have interviewed several people in connection with the case. Mr. Durbin lived in the home with his wife.
The house sits on 100 acres of property. Mr. Durbin was a hunter, so there were several guns in the home, but state police do not yet know what kind of gun was used in the murder.
He said there was no indication that the house was burglarized.
"However we're not ruling out that some items may not be there," he said.
Trooper Christy said state police were examining forensic evidence found at the scene but declined to elaborate. He said he did not anticipate an arrest would be made anytime soon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Washington barracks at 724-223-5200.
First Published August 26, 2011 1:46 pm
