UPDATE: Retrial set for alleged Pagan president in 2022 Marion County murder case
By WDTV News Staff Published: Nov. 14, 2025
FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) – The motion for dismissal of charges against an alleged Pagan Motorcycle Club president for his role in a 2022 murder was denied in a hearing Friday, and a retrial has been set.
The state also alleged that Ryan Lane violated conditions of his home confinement, and he was taken back into custody after the hearing.
Lane is charged with murder, organized criminal enterprise and conspiracy for his role in Henry Silver’s death in 2022. He sent a text to some of his members that said, “Handle that f—–,” according to court documents.
However, in September, a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, and a mistrial was declared. Shortly after, Lane was finally granted bond, and a motion for dismissal was filed.
A hearing for the motion for dismissal was originally scheduled for October 28th. However, it was postponed last minute after Lowell “L.J.” Maxey, a former Bridgeport councilman, was charged for operating as a private investigator without a license for Lane’s attorney, Elgine McArdle. McArdle was also charged by the prosecutor’s office for violating a child involved in the case’s confidentiality.
On Friday, however, McArdle appeared by Lane’s side for the hearing to dismiss all charges against him.
Maxey also filed for a dismissal of the charges against himself, stating that Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sean Murphy is attempting to intimidate and defame him and that Murphy tried to convince him to persuade Lane to accept his plea offer.
Lane was one of six men arrested in relation to the murder, which occurred on September 9th of 2022 in the Carolina area of Marion County. John Wolfe, a member of the club, learned of a hidden relationship involving Silver and his girlfriend. Deputies alleged that Wolfe then conspired with other members of the club to murder Silver.
Ten minutes prior to the murder occurring, Wolfe texted Lane and told him “keep ur phone on I might need bail money,” court documents say. After that text, deputies said Lane continued to communicate with Wolfe and traveled to where he believed he would be to discuss the events that occurred.
Wolfe was found guilty of Silver’s murder in April 2024 and sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder in June 2024. Another man, Austin Mullins, who prosecutors have alleged was the shooter, was sentenced to spend 40 years in prison in March for his role in the crime.
Two other men involved — Derek Clem and Dane Hull — were sentenced to time in prison for their roles in the crime in April of this year.
A retrial for Lane has been set for January 20th, and a hearing regarding his home confinement violation has been set for next Friday.
A hearing for Maxey is scheduled for December 3rd, and there is no word on the status of the case against McArdle at this time.
However, during Friday’s hearing, there was discussion on whether or not McArdle should continue to represent Lane. The judge said he had concern about McArdle representing Lane and wouldn’t feel right about it until her criminal charges were resolved.
There is still no word on whether or not she will be able to continue representing him.
A motion for dismissal of all charges against Ryan Lane was denied Friday.(WDTV)
Comments