FIRST ON WITN: Marine arrested for murder of friend while house-sitting
A New River Air Station Marine made a brief court appearance this morning after deputies say he killed his roommate who was also a Marine.
Corporal Javier Garzon is continuing to be held without bond after his arrest Sunday.
Onslow County deputies say Corporal David Rutherford was found dead in the backyard of a home on Parnell Road in Hubert on Sunday.
Deputies say Rutherford died of apparent stab wounds but the official cause of death is pending an autopsy report.
Garzon was house-sitting for a friend in Hubert, according to deputies, who say that he and Rutherford were roommates at the air station.
Sheriff Hans Miller says an argument preceded the murder.
The Marine told the judge that he would hire his own attorney and the judge set September 17th as his next court date.
The Marine Corps says both men were assigned to the command element for the 22nd MEU.
"The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit lost a Warrior, Corporal David Rutherford. Our thoughts and prayers are with Corporal Rutherford's family and friends in this indescribably difficult time. Our priority is to ensure both his loved ones and his brother and sister Marines have every resource we can provide as they grieve and try to make sense of a world without his shining presence. Though he is gone too soon, he will not be forgotten. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit will continue our mission in honor of Corporal Rutherford." - Col Michael Perez, Commanding Officer, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
The Onslow County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man on an open count of murder in the death of David Rutherford, 24.
Rutherford was found dead in the backyard of a home on Parnell Road in Hubert on Sunday, August 26.
Deputies say Rutherford died of apparent stab wounds but the official cause of death is pending an autopsy report.
Javier Garzon is charged with murder.
Deputies say Garzon was house-sitting for a friend in Hubert.
Garzon and Rutherford were roommates living on New River Air Station.
Garzon is being held without bond at the Onslow County Detention Center and is expected to appear in court today, Monday, August 27.
Anyone with information about this incident may contact the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office at 910-455-3113, or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273
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The Onslow County Sheriff's Office has launched a homicide investigation after one person was found dead Sunday afternoon.
Deputies responded to a home in the 200 block of Parnell Road in Hubert, Major Chris Thomas said.
A suspect was taken into custody, but no charges have been filed yet, Thomas said.
There is no ongoing threat to the public, Thomas said.
