Alleged flirtatious relationship at center of Dover murder

DOVER, Del. – On the second day of Rodney West’s murder trial, details emerged about why West is accused of shooting Derrick Combs last summer on the property of an elementary school.

It all comes down to an alleged relationship that Combs’ wife had with West. It’s that reported relationship that led to the night of August 28th that changed the lives of two men and their families.

The State claims West was flirting with Combs’ wife, the two worked at Towne Point Elementary School. But Combs reportedly tried to stop West from advancing things with his wife by confronting him. However the defense says Combs started to watch, follow and even harass West in order to stifle the relationship.

“I indicated things in my opening statement that will be brought out in court that there were communications going on of which had a negative affect on him,” says Joe Hurley, the defense attorney for West.

The efforts to stifle the relationship led up to the night of August 28th when West and Combs met outside the school as West was leaving work. Surveillance video shows the confrontation between the two men in the parking lot. Things end within minutes as West is seen shooting Combs four times: once in the head, once in the chest and twice in the stomach. West is then seen getting in his car and driving away.

The state is trying to prove that West intentionally murdered Combs. The defense is arguing that Combs was “stalking” West and therefore he feared for his life.

Almost 10 witnesses testified on day two but a total of forty were listed at the start of the trial. One key witness is Combs’ cousin, who was in the car at the school when West shot Combs and fled. The defense says West is also expected to testify.

West is facing two charges: first degree murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The judge expects the trial to last 10 days.

For coverage on day one of the trial: click here.