Weyers Cave man accused in murder-for-hire plot targeting Rockingham's top prosecutor
HARRISONBURG — A Weyers Cave man suspected of killing his brother in 2022 is now accused of attempting to hire someone to kill the Rockingham County prosecutor handling his murder case, according to court documents.
Richard D. Brunk, 62, is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of his older brother, 63-year-old Ronald D. Brunk, whose body was found at Mast & Brunk on Cottontail Trail in Rockingham County on June 15, 2022.
The elder Brunk worked for 34 years at the company, where he was a partner and vice president of operations, his obituary said.
Now, besides the murder charge, Richard Brunk is accused of trying to hire somebody to kill Rockingham County Commonwealth's Attorney Marsha L. Garst, who is prosecuting his murder charge. He was indicted Oct. 16 on two charges of attempted murder-for-hire.
June 2022 slaying
Court records show that in the summer of 2022, Ronald Brunk was killed by a single shotgun blast to the chest. In an interview with authorities, Richard Brunk said he went to the business to confront his brother regarding a warrant that had been obtained against him.
Richard Brunk parked his pickup, blocking the driver's side door of his brother's vehicle. Moments later, a verbal argument inside the business escalated into a physical confrontation.
After being separated, Richard Brunk went to the rear door of his pickup and grabbed a 12-gauge shotgun, according to court documents. After his brother opened the door of the business, Richard Brunk told authorities he aimed the shotgun at his brother and pulled the trigger once.
"The point of impact appears to be within the center of the glass area of this door ..." a court document states.
Without calling 911, Richard Brunk went back to his Weyers Cave residence on Carrolton Court, removed a bloody shirt and placed it in the laundry, court records show. He was arrested at his home. A mugshot shows him with a black eye and some other abrasions, and court documents allege the blood on the shirt was his own.
Brunk's attorney, Thomas Weidner IV, said he could not comment on the case. Although the alleged victim in the murder-for-hire indictment is listed only by their initials, a court filing by Weidner identifies that person as Garst.
In a motion for recusal, Weidner asked a judge to appoint a special prosecutor to take Garst's place in the homicide case since she is named as a victim in the alleged murder-for-hire plot. The judge is expected to rule on the motion following a November hearing.
Augusta County Commonwealth's Attorney Timothy Martin confirmed Friday he has been appointed to prosecute the murder-for-hire charge where the Rockingham prosecutor is listed as the victim.
"I've been appointed as a substitute," said Martin, who would not discuss details of the alleged murder-for-hire plot.
Garst declined to comment.
Based on the indictment from Oct. 16, the second murder-for-hire charge indicates the alleged victim's initials are "R.B." The News Leader has not confirmed their identity.
Richard Brunk, who also faces a charge of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in his brother's slaying, remains at the Rockingham Harrisonburg Regional Jail in Harrisonburg. He is being held without bond.
No trial dates have been set.
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Weyers Cave man charged in murder-for-hire plot
