Falls Man Facing Life Sentence if Convicted of Murder, Attempted Arson

Adam C. McCloud, 34, a Cuyahoga Falls native, has been awaiting trial for months after being accused of murdering his Chester, W. Va. girlfriend in late January.

He was scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 4, but the hearing was canceled after his public defender, F. William Brogan Jr., requested a mental status examination to determine whether he’s mentally competent to stand trial, reports The Review.

McCloud is charged with the murder of Sara Jean Williams, 37, and with attempted arson, according to Hancock County, W. Va. Circuit Court documents.

If tried and convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

On Jan. 26, Williams’ lifeless body was found tied to a post in the basement of the couple’s rented Chester home. McCloud was lying next to her in a semi-conscious state with injuries sustained to his head and left side, according to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.

When authorities arrived, the house was filled with natural gas and emergency crews observed the carbon monoxide detectors had been disabled.

McCloud was taken to an area hospital for his injuries and arrested upon release.

An autopsy by the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed Williams died from strangulation and blunt force injuries to the head.

As it stands, a new trial date won’t be set until the results of McCloud’s mental examination are finalized.