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Two more arraigned in Bellaire murder, robbery

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Two more people were arraigned Thursday on charges including murder, robbery and aggravated burglary in connection with an alleged home invasion that resulted in the death of Joshua Gorayeb in Bellaire.

Thomas Earl Grubba, 34, and Diane Jean Kuri, 28, both of Wheeling and now incarcerated, were arraigned before Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato, Both pleaded innocent to robbery, aggravated burglary, murder and complicity to robbery and burglary leading to a death.

They face maximum sentences of life without possibility of parole for 15 years.

Pretrial dates were set for Aug. 14 in both cases. Grubba’s plea agreement hearing was set for Aug. 28, and his trial Sept. 18. Kuri’s plea hearing was set for Sept. 25 with a trial Oct. 2.

Bond for each was set at $1 million.

Their co-defendants are James Dean McMasters, 46, and Michael Scott Posey, 33, both of Bellaire, who are also incarcerated. They have been arraigned on the same charges and are being held on $1 million bond as well. McMasters’ plea agreement hearing is Aug. 14, and his trial is Aug. 22. Posey’s plea agreement hearing is Aug. 14 and trial Aug. 29.

Law enforcement officials believe McMasters, Posey, Kuri, Grubba and Gorayeb were involved in an attempt to invade a home at 4157 Noble St. in Bellaire to steal narcotics. Officials believe the home was a point of drug trafficking and said McMasters was a former resident of that location.

Allegedly, Gorayeb and Grubba attempted to invade the home, but the residents were armed. Gorayeb and Grubba both were shot. Gorayeb died at the scene, while Grubba was shot in the chest and recovered.

Posey is believed to have driven the car that transported the group to the address where the shootings occurred.

Bellaire Police Chief Michael Kovalyk said those believed to have been involved in the attempted robbery and burglary have been charged with Gorayeb’s murder, since the death would not have occurred if the attempted home invasion did not occur.

Lola Eden, 54, of 4157 Noble St., Bellaire, the owner of the home, was also arraigned and pleaded innocent to trafficking in drugs, trafficking in drugs with a firearm specification, possession of drugs and tampering with evidence. Her bond was set at $100,000, and her plea agreement hearing was set for Aug 14 with a trial Aug 31.

According to the county prosecutor’s office, a large amount of cocaine was found in connection with the house.

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