Plumley v. Bledsoe

STARCHER, Justice.

In the instant case, we affirm a circuit court’s application of West Virginia’s “slayer rule.”

I

Facts & Background

Lynette Bledsoe, the appellant in the instant case, is the daughter and heir of the late Larry Plumley. Larry Plumley died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound on or about March 26, 2002. Approximately a week before taking his own life, on March 19, 2002, Larry Plumley intentionally and unlawfully shot and killed his mother, Margaret Plum-ley. 1

Margaret Plumley had two sons: the aforesaid Larry Plumley, and Ronald Plum-ley, who is the appellee in the instant case.

On…