McGhee murder charges result in custody disputes

Charles McGhee has not entered a courtroom for his preliminary hearing yet, but another proceeding has been scheduled for him.

McGhee, 37, of Bellefonte, is charged with first- and third-degree murder in the death of his wife, Courtney, 41, who died June 5 as a result of blunt trauma. McGhee is also charged with other crimes including arson, aggravated assault and flight.

But while preliminary hearing in the case has been continued, two different judges have signed orders in separate custody suits in the case.

The McGhees’ 13-year-old daughter was in the home at the time of the death and the fire, according to the affidavit of probable cause in the criminal proceedings.

McGhee is being separately sued for custody by both his mother, Lysa Cooper, of Cleveland, Ohio, and his late wife’s sister, Kristin Shirey, of Boalsburg, according to documents filed in Centre County Court.

An order from Judge Jonathan Grine in Cooper’s petition left custody in Shirey’s hands pending a July 25 hearing. That hearing was scheduled by Judge Pamela Ruest on Shirey’s petition.

This story was originally published June 20, 2017 at 11:18 PM with the headline "McGhee murder charges result in custody disputes."